The Ministry of Health has adopted the Rulebook on the Frequency of Inspections and Standards of Microbiological Cleanliness in Facilities under Sanitary Supervision and in Facilities Handling Food (“Official Gazette of Montenegro”, No. 073/25 of 10.07.2025).
This act establishes standards that play a key role in safeguarding public health, as it defines obligations regarding the control of hygiene conditions in various facilities where food is handled, as well as in other spaces of public importance. Special attention is given to the control of surfaces, equipment and utensils, means of transport, and the microbiological cleanliness of employees’ hands, which forms the basis of a safe food chain.
What does the rulebook regulate?
The rulebook clearly prescribes:
- the frequency of inspections and their dynamics ,
- the number and method of sampling,
- microbiological cleanliness criteria,
- obligations in case of epidemiological indications.
In this way, potential risks are systematically prevented at all stages – from production and processing to food distribution.
Which facilities are covered?
The inspections apply to a wide range of facilities, including:
- production and processing plants,
- distribution centers and warehouses,
- hospitality and accommodation facilities,
- healthcare and educational institutions,
- as well as other facilities under sanitary supervision.
Annexes to the rulebook
To ensure full clarity in implementation, the rulebook also includes specific annexes:
- Annex 1 defines the frequency of inspections and the number of samples by facility type,
- Annex 2 describes sampling methods,
- Annex 3 contains the microbiological cleanliness criteria that must be met.
This structure enables precise application of the provisions in practice and facilitates supervision of compliance.
The rulebook enters into force on the eighth day following its publication in the “Official Gazette of Montenegro”, ensuring swift and effective application of the new public health standards.
Other categories