EU helps Bosnia combat food, pesticide, medicine fraud

Within the framework of the European Union Police Assistance Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPA4BiH), implemented with the aim of strengthening the rule of law and combating various forms of crime, a strategic meeting on combating fraud in the food sector, the production and use of pesticides, as well as the production and use of medicines and dietary products, was held in Sarajevo on September 23–24, 2026.

The project is being implemented in cooperation with EUROPOL, INTERPOL and the EUIPO, CE Report informs via the Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina's official website.

Counterfeit food, illegal pesticides, counterfeit medicines and illicit trade are different threats that can only be effectively addressed through strong inter-institutional cooperation. Criminal networks often operate across borders, meaning that effective protection of public health and the interests of consumers and legitimate producers can only be achieved through coordinated activities and joint operations based on information sharing and combined expertise.

The meeting represented an important step towards aligning Bosnia and Herzegovina’s domestic control and investigative mechanisms with European Union standards, with a particular focus on protecting consumer health and economic interests throughout the production and distribution chain. The importance of the “One Health” approach was also emphasised, as it is used to address complex problems that cannot be solved by any single sector alone.

Key aspects of the strategic meeting

Inter-institutional and cross-sectoral cooperation: To ensure better interoperability, the meeting brought together representatives of key institutions, as well as representatives of companies operating legally.

Detection of fraud: The focus was placed on detecting and preventing false labelling, food adulteration, including the replacement of expensive ingredients with cheaper alternatives, illegal imports, falsification of accompanying documentation, and other forms of fraud.

Financial investigations and tracking financial flows: Given that food-sector fraud generates significant illegal profits for organised criminal groups, the importance of financial investigations and cooperation with international bodies was emphasised.

Alignment with the EU regulatory framework: Discussions focused on the implementation of stricter measures and legal solutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina aligned with EU regulations.

The EUPA4BiH project will continue to provide mentoring and technical support to institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina through training and advanced tools to help them effectively respond to contemporary security and economic challenges.

At the strategic meeting, the Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented by MSc Zehra Gilić, DVM, Head of the Department for Risk Management, Emergencies and Traceability.

Photo Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina