This aims to save institutional resources and reduce the burden on small businesses.
“This way, human resources are distributed even more efficiently, the execution of inspections is optimized, and the inspection burden on small economic entities is reduced when the participation of two VMVT officers is not necessary,” states the draft amendment to the small business inspection rules prepared by the service.
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“This activity is small, carried out on a small scale, therefore (…) such a decision was made,” the service told BNS.
However, according to her, this does not mean that all inspections will be carried out by only one officer.
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation questioned whether there is sufficient legal basis to record video and audio during such inspections.
“The Food Law obliges the service to inspect food handling activities, but it does not grant its officers the right, without violating legal acts (…) to photograph, make audio and video recordings,” says the ministry.
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She also criticizes the procedure for the use of official video recorders and the processing of video and audio data approved by the VMVT director’s order in 2025: “The right to make video and audio recordings during inspections of food producers at home is not clearly established”.
VMVT denies that inspecting with one officer could increase the risk of bribery: “Inspections carried out by one officer are applied only in clearly defined cases – when lower-risk activities are assessed. Officers’ actions continue to be documented, and in case of violations, usual control and accountability measures are applied.”
VMVT announced that this year it conducted only one inspection of a small food producer, last year – 14, and the year before last – 48. In 2024, two fines were imposed, in 2025, one warning was issued, and over two years, some producers were prohibited from supplying expired products.
Currently, 1350 small producers supply food, most of them – almost 900 – offer baked goods, flour products, others – prepared meals and dishes, of which no more than 20 portions can be prepared per day.
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