Most often, people contacted regarding food products purchased or noticed at points of sale, food handling violations, and public catering services. Especially rapidly this year, the number of non-anonymous (identity confirmed) reports has increased – 68% more than a year ago.
In January–August 2025, VMVT received 2,311 reports, and this year – 2,639. Of these, 2,009 were accepted for review – almost 13% more than last year.
About one in five of the accepted reports was confirmed.
VMVT points out that a resident’s report is primarily a signal about a possible violation. The actual circumstances are determined by evaluating the provided information and, when necessary, conducting control actions.
Each report is assessed based on the completeness of the information, circumstances, and possible impact on human or animal health and welfare. This allows control actions to be directed primarily where the risk may be greatest.
Most reports about food products
The largest share of residents’ reports consisted of complaints about food products purchased or noticed at points of sale and materials in contact with food. Up to the end of August this year, 1,007 such reports were received, compared to 907 in the same period last year.
The second most common topic is possible food handling activity violations (improper food production, storage, hygiene, trading conditions, etc.). There were 841 such inquiries this year, compared to 757 in the same period last year.
Many reports were also received regarding the operation of public catering establishments – 462, compared to 416 last year.
The number of reports about purchased dishes also increased: from 230 last year to 329 this year.
More and more residents choose authenticated reports
VMVT statistics show that not only is residents’ activity increasing, but their chosen method of reporting is also changing.
In the first eight months of this year, 1,032 authenticated reports were received – 68% more than in the same period last year, when there were 614.
Authenticated reports this year account for about 39% of all reports received by VMVT. Last year, their share was about 27 percent.
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A resident submits an authenticated report by confirming their identity. This allows VMVT to contact the reporter if necessary, clarify information, and inform them about the results of the report review.
Meanwhile, the number of anonymous reports has slightly decreased – from 1,696 this year to 1,607 last year.
The vast majority of authenticated reports – 938, or almost 91%, were accepted for review.
Reporting to VMVT can be done in a few minutes
Residents are increasingly using the VMVT electronic reporting tool, implemented two years ago. A report can be submitted on the VMVT website by filling out a special form: it is enough to select relevant answers and provide known information about the observed possible violation.
“Our goal is to make reporting to VMVT as convenient and simple as possible. The most important thing is to specify as accurately as possible what, where, and when was noticed. Our colleagues will then assess the situation,” says Rūta Gruodytė, acting head of the VMVT Consulting and Document Management Department.
The significantly increased share of authenticated reports provides more opportunities to thoroughly assess the submitted information. Moreover, the more frequent choice to report by confirming one’s identity shows not only growing resident activity but also greater trust in the institution.
However, it is also possible to report to VMVT anonymously – such information is also evaluated and reviewed, but such a reporter will not receive feedback – the results of the report review, and if additional information is needed, the report may not be reviewed.
“Every specific and justified report can help prevent greater risk, so we value residents’ attentiveness and activity,” emphasizes R. Gruodytė.
It is possible to report suspected violations related to food safety and quality, illegal food production, distribution or trade, public catering services, animal health and welfare, feed, and veterinary medicines to VMVT. It is also possible to inform about suspected animal diseases, observed deaths of farm animals, violations of feed or veterinary medicine quality, safety and labeling, non-compliance of publicly supplied drinking water with quality or safety requirements, and other possible violations in areas supervised by the Service.
The most convenient way to provide information is through the electronic form on the VMVT website, but possible violations can also be reported by phone or email.
