The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted the Regulation on Additional Requirements for Placing on the Market Products Containing Palm Oil, Palm Fat, or Other Vegetable Oils and Fats (“Official Gazette of RS”, no. 47/2025). The Regulation introduces the obligation of clear and visible labeling of all products in which milk fat is replaced by vegetable oil or fat, with the aim of protecting consumers and preventing misleading impressions regarding the true nature of the product.
Mandatory declaration and labeling: All products that contain palm oil or other vegetable oils and also include a dairy component must be clearly labeled with a visual identity (both graphic and textual elements).
Prohibition of Misleading Advertising: The use of terms and designs characteristic of dairy products (e.g., “cheese”, “vegetable cheese”, “cheese analogue”, “a la”, “cheese type”, etc.) is prohibited if the product does not contain milk fat.
Handling and Display of Products:Refrigerated display cases must maintain a temperature between 0 °C and 7 °C; Mandatory physical and visual separation from real dairy products in retail stores.
Public Availability of Information: Labels and declarations must be clearly visible and accessible to consumers – on packaging, menus, shelves, catalogs, tags, as well as through digital and verbal means.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: In case of non-compliance with the Regulation, legal entities may be fined between RSD 250,000 and RSD 3,000,000. Oversight and enforcement are carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.
Deadline for Compliance:
All entities must comply with the Regulation by August 1, 2025, by:
- Adapting packaging and labeling;
- Separating the display of products in retail and providing refrigerated display cases in accordance with the Regulation;
- Ensuring clear labeling and proper documentation.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.