---
title: "Moldova mandates origin labeling for retail food products"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/82724/moldova-mandates-origin-labeling-for-retail-food-products
published: 2026-08-10T04:30:00Z
language: en
author: "Dumitru Petruleac"
section: "Economic"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Moldova mandates origin labeling for retail food products

> Effective August 10, all food products offered for sale in Moldovan retail stores must explicitly display their country of origin on price tags. Non-compliant merchants face fines of up to €612 (approx. 12,000 MDL), with inspectors from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) launching compliance checks on day one.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/3a178371-777b-4f23-9d6d-c17e6acf746d.jpg)

Effective August 10, all food products offered for sale in Moldovan retail stores must explicitly display their country of origin on price tags. Non-compliant merchants face fines of up to €612 (approx. 12,000 MDL), with inspectors from the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) launching compliance checks on day one.

The new regulations aim to provide consumers with clear, transparent information about food sourcing while strengthening product traceability across the entire supply chain.

**Clear rules for prepackaged and loose goods**

For prepackaged food items, the country of origin must appear on the price display whenever this information is mandatory or voluntarily declared on the packaging. The listed origin on the price tag must match the packaging label exactly.

For unpackaged food, as well as items packaged on-site at the consumer's request, retailers must state the origin on the price tag using commercial and traceability documents from the specific product batch.

**Strict standards for visual display**

The law sets precise presentation standards. The country of origin must be written out in full with letters at least 0.3 centimeters high, displayed on either the price tag or a sign adjacent to the product.

National flags may serve only as accompanying visual elements alongside the full written name. Displaying a flag alone without the explicit text is strictly prohibited. The requirements apply to retail outlets classified under categories B, C, and D.

**Fines and institutional support**

Retailers that fail to comply face administrative penalties. Fines for individual managers range from 60 to 90 conventional units (€153 to €230), while legal entities face fines between 120 and 240 conventional units (€306 to €612).

ANSA expressed its readiness to assist economic operators during the transition. The agency urged all retailers to comply promptly, contributing to greater transparency across Moldova's food retail sector.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**