Lithuania
Last updated on 7 November 2023.
* Host institution of the national EFSA Focal Point. For information on the EFSA Focal Point network, please see the
EFSA website.
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The Lithuanian Law on Food is the central legal foundation for food legislation in Lithuania. It covers requirements for food placed on the market, handling of food, competencies of public authorities in the area of food safety, duties and liability of food producers, food operators and the food trade.
Infringement of food regulations can lead to measures under criminal law and consumer damage claims under civil law, whereby the final decision rests with the courts. Government measures with regard to food safety are often based on scientific risk assessments. However, the final decision on the legality of governmental measures rests with the courts.
In Lithuania, risk assessment and risk management are institutionally separated. Risk assessments are published on the Internet.
State Food and Veterinary Service
| Name | State Food and Veterinary Service |
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| Acronym | VMVT |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | https://vmvt.lt/?language=en |
The State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) is accountable to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, and prepares and implements regulations in the area of food quality, food safety as well as animal health and welfare. Activities of the VMVT are usually based on scientific opinions from the National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NMVRVI).
The VMVT monitors and controls animal health, including outbreaks of zoonoses and other contagious animal diseases. It is the aim of the VMVT to ensure that all necessary biological measures are applied to prevent the introduction of zoonoses and other contagious animal diseases into the territory of Lithuania and the EU.
The VMVT is responsible for official controls of the entire food chain, according to the principle “from farm to fork”. The VMVT monitors food on the Lithuanian market, as well as food intended for export with respect to safety compliance, labelling and other mandatory legal requirements.
National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute
| Name | National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute |
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| Acronym | NMVRVI |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | https://nmvrvi.lt/en |
As a subordinate specialist authority of the VMVT, the National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute (NMVRVI) is responsible for science-based risk assessments, identification of new health risks and recommendations for risk reduction. The remit of the NMVRVI includes assessment of biological, chemical and other risk factors in food and feed, zoonoses, and animal health.
One National Reference Laboratory is an integral part of the NMVRVI in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 2017/625 and performs laboratory tests in the areas of food and feed safety, quality and animal health.
Ministry of Health
| Name | Ministry of Health |
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| Acronym | SAM |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | https://sam.lrv.lt/en/ |
The Ministry of Health (SAM) is responsible for health policy and food safety in Lithuania. The SAM prepares draft legislation in the area of food and food safety, taking into account scientific assessments of risks to human health. The SAM's portfolio includes food additives, food supplements, maximum permitted concentrations of contaminants in food, addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances to foods, foods for particular dietary uses, irradiated food, genetically modified food, novel food and food contact materials. The SAM also stipulates mandatory requirements to protect the consumer, i.e. food labelling and use of nutrition and health claims. It also stipulates mandatory requirements with regard to the health of persons handling food, required health examination procedures and obligatory hygiene training.
The National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory (NVSPL) is attached to SAM in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 2017/625.
Institute of Hygiene
| Name | Institute of Hygiene |
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| Acronym | HI |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | http://www.hi.lt/ |
The Institute of Hygiene (HI) is a specialist authority within the portfolio of SAM. The HI organises and implements nutrition and food safety education for residents, communities and professionals. The HI carries out regular monitoring of food consumption in Lithuania.
Ministry of Agriculture
| Name | Ministry of Agriculture |
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| Acronym | ŽŪM |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | https://zum.lrv.lt/en/ |
The Ministry of Agriculture (ŽŪM) is responsible for food quality and food safety in Lithuania. This includes regulation of food labelling, handling of food, cultivation of crops for human consumption, use of plant protection products as well as organic farming. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Health, the ŽŪM is involved in the regulation of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
State Plant Service under the Ministry of Agriculture
| Name | State Plant Service under the Ministry of Agriculture |
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| Acronym | VATŽŪM |
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| Location | Vilnius |
| URL | http://www.vatzum.lt/en |
The State Plant Service (VATŽŪM) is a competent authority under the Ministry of Agriculture. The VATŽŪM implements the strategic goal of the Ministry of Agriculture – to enhance public health and consumer protection with regard to food safety and quality, to ensure plant and animal health controls. The VATŽŪM is responsible for the implementation and the control of the safe application of plant protection products and phytosanitary (plant health) measures.
The VATŽŪM is responsible for the assessment of active substances at the EU level and the national authorisation of plant protection products and for post-registration control (import, storage, sale, labelling, package and use of plant protection products). The VATŽŪM also controls the cultivation of GM plant crops and the use of propagating materials (including GMOs). In these areas, the VATŽŪM monitors and coordinates the tasks of the 10 regional divisions and 5 border checkpoints with 13 functioning phytosanitary posts (divisions).
Vytautas Magnus University
| Name | Vytautas Magnus University |
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| Acronym | VDU |
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| Location | Kaunas |
| URL | https://www.vdu.lt/en/ |
The Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) is a state institution of higher education and research, awarding diplomas and degrees at the PhD, MSc and BSc levels in a wide range of interdisciplinary programmes: from neurotechnologies to bioeconomics, from creative industries to digital humanities, from law and finance to neurotechnologies, and from smart animal husbandry to agrobiotechnologies.
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
| Name | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences |
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| Acronym | LSMU |
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| Location | Kaunas |
| URL | https://lsmuni.lt/en |
The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) is one of the largest universities in Lithuania specialized in health, veterinary and agricultural sciences with integrated studies, research and clinical practice. Different levels of studies (BSc, MSc, PhD) are offered to about 7,000 students each year. Integration of fundamental and applied research is aimed to create new knowledge for the improvement of both human and animal health and life quality.
Kaunas University of Technology
| Name | Kaunas University of Technology |
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| Acronym | KTU |
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| Location | Kaunas |
| URL | https://en.ktu.edu/ |
The KTU Food Institute is a research unit of Kaunas University of Technology. Its task is to conduct internationally recognised research in food science as well as to solve the main problems of the Lithuanian food industry and provide scientific, practical and methodical services.
The KTU Food institute is working to expand knowledge and innovative technological solutions for the wellbeing of humans within preventive and sustainable food systems, while also developing food supply capabilities for the growing needs of the world.
Scientific activities: development and improvement of balanced and healthy food and food technologies, development of sustainable food systems, ensuring the effectiveness of interaction between consumers and food producers.
