Inspection in Novalja Fines Plodine
Following a reader's tip, the State Inspectorate conducted an inspection at the Novalja shopping center in late July and found serious violations of hygiene standards in handling fresh meat.
Following a reader's tip, the State Inspectorate conducted an inspection at the Novalja shopping center in late July and found serious violations of hygiene standards in handling fresh meat.
The State Inspectorate of the Republic of Croatia has fined the retail chain Plodine for a series of irregularities found at their store in Novalja. The inspection followed after the Morski portal's editorial team received a photo from a reader showing highly inappropriate handling of fresh meat.
The disputed photo shows meat, without any protective covering, placed on ordinary transport trolleys, and then a worker moving it into the refrigerated display case with bare hands. This practice directly violates basic sanitary regulations and poses a risk to consumer health.
After receiving the complaint, officials from the Regional Office in Rijeka, Branch in Pag, went to the site on July 30, 2026. A coordinated inspection by veterinary and sanitary inspectors was carried out at the Plodine shopping center in Novalja. On that occasion, a series of serious irregularities were found concerning violations of the provisions of the Food Hygiene Act and microbiological criteria for food.
Due to the committed offenses, a fine was imposed on the food business operator on the spot. The procedure was conducted in accordance with Article 21, Paragraph 1, Item 6, with the application of the provisions of Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the aforementioned Act.
As we learn from the official response signed by senior veterinary inspector, Dr. med. vet. Gorana Gligora, in addition to the immediate fine, the Inspectorate will also issue a special decision for the identified deficiencies related to the infrastructure of the facility itself. This measure will be based on Article 19 of the same Act.
The competent authorities have also announced that they will continue to monitor the inspection status of this facility. The goal is to ensure that all hygiene standards and infrastructure requirements are fully aligned with legal regulations, thereby preventing the recurrence of such and similar oversights.
