The Federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasicevic explained the application of the Rulebook on the Minimum Technical Terms of Commerce in the part related to the sale of food products in gas station pumps. As stated, the sale of food items that are not originally packed at gas stations are not allowed without complying with special conditions, as it carries significant health-hygienic, security and regulatory risks.
“Such products are not subject to full control of the declaration, origin, the terms of consumers directly, as well-consumed for sale, or thermally processed foods if they are not equipped in accordance with the regulations governing the field of nutrition and catering,” emphasizes Hasicevic.
He adds that the Ordinance clearly defines that the facility must have separate spaces, appropriate equipment, sanitary nodes, ventilation, refrigeration devices, as well as educated staff, if they are sold or prepared by food factory.
“In this regard, it is possible to organize a gastro department within the gas station, but exclusively as a special and registered catering or food space, which meets all technical, sanitary and personnel conditions prescribed by applicable legislation,” he said.
Gastro Department must be:
- physically and functionally separated from the sale of fuels and consumer goods,
- equipped in accordance with food safety regulations and consumer protection,
- Registered as a catering or related activity with the competent authorities
- Subject to regular inspection.
“In this way, additional services of gas stations are provided, with the preservation of the consumer health care and the sale of non-genuine foods on pumps, which meets all the conditions, consumers and fair market competition,” concluded Hasicevic, writes Clix.
