TIRANA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian government passed a decision that requires all Food Business Operators (FBO) in the country to declare on the label of the food the values and ingredients that the product contains, local media reported on Saturday.

According to the decision, from this year onwards, FBO must provide the above-mentioned criteria, and by 2019 the authorities will impose a ban on the products that fail to declare the origin of the raw material.

In this way, the Albanian government aims to avoid all abusive efforts and to guarantee a genuine tracing system, which is the first link in the chain of food safety.

The labeling decision adopted this week also aims to inform and build the confidence of consumers in the food market, especially with regard to food characteristics, effects and properties.

Up to now in Albania, the presentation of food nutritional values by FBO was optional.

All products currently on the market and affected by the amendments to the government decision will continue to be sold with the current approved labels, but not more than one year from the date of entry into force of this decision.