Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas ordered the increased monitoring of Pangasius fish products on 19 December 2012. The Minister is asking consumers to be extra cautious about what food products they purchase during the Christmas period.

Sándor Fazekas ordered the heightened monitoring following reports from the public and widespread information published in the press and on the internet. The fish that provide the basic ingredients of Pangasius products are bred in the Far East in often unmonitored conditions; the long food chain and uncertain origin pose a threat to food safety. The Minister recommends that customers buy good quality, monitored and safe Hungarian fish.

Experts at the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH) that performs food monitoring are working to ensure that only high quality foods that conform to food safety standards reach the consumer's shopping basket, and no dubious products ruin the Christmas holidays.

The increased monitoring of Pangasius products will continue until January 31, 2013.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)