The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in cooperation with the Faculty of Food Technology (FTU) at the University of Mitrovica “Isa Boletini” (UMIB), have organized online the conference: “Food safety during COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo”. The director of this center, Besart Hajrizi, said that the main purpose of this conference was to discuss and provide information on food safety during pandemics with COVID-19, but also the functioning of manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies in these circumstances.

UMIB’s rector Alush Musaj said that this conference approaches the university with the concerns of the society in this time of pandemics. While in the capacity of food expert, Musaj spoke about microorganisms, the way they work and the importance of hygiene in food storage and preparation.

Valdet Gjinovci, director of the Food and Veterinary Agency, also attended the conference. He spoke of measures taken to prevent COVID-19 pandemics. “According to reports from the European Food Safety Authority, there is no scientific evidence that food is a source or carrier of the human virus.”

Gani Durmishi, president of the Association of Dairy Processors, said that dairies have a tradition in terms of hygiene measures. He said measures have been taken to train workers and farmers in milk hygiene stables. “Our products are safe and citizens should not be worried about quality.”

While, Dafina Llugaxhiu, assistant at the Faculty of Food Technology, said that the problem with the COVID-19 virus is that it survives in different spaces, so it is very important to maintain hygiene and measures that have been advised by the relevant institutions. She also spoke about the approach that food companies should take, primarily to workers.

FTF’s Dean, Milaim Sadiku, at the end of the conference praised the presentations by the panelists. As recommendations, he mentioned that food products are not contaminated with COVID-19, the pathogen can be spread from one person to another but not from animals, then compliance with hygienic-sanitary measures, etc.