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Genuineness of sunflower and olive oils

The purpose of these inspections was to verify the genuineness of single-variety sunflower and olive oils. Therefore, it was possible to set some selected indicators, especially the spectrum of characteristic fat acids and typical sterols. The total of 34 samples of oils were taken (22 olive oil and 12 sunflower oil samples).

The results of analyses showed non-conformances in 3 samples of single variety sunflower oils, in which increased values of brassicasterol were measured, indicating the admixtures of rapeseed oil. This was the reason why the samples were assessed as adulterations, and therefore their labelling was assessed as false.

As to the control of genuineness of olive oils, all samples complied with the requirements. No admixture of any kind of vegetable oil was identified in the analysed samples and also all olive oils declared as "virgin" complied, due to their characteristic ingredients, with requirements laid for the particular category.

The controls focused on the detection of false labelling - "adulteration" - of the egg and homemade pasta. The manufacturer, who uses less quantity of eggs or does not use eggs at all in the production of pasta, acts in breach of the regulation on false labelling when declaring the pasta as made of eggs or homemade.

Altogether 53 samples from 32 producers were analysed, of which 16 samples were assessed as nonconforming (i.e. approx. 30 % of the total number). With view to the quantity, the controlled batches represented 28,419 kg, of which 2,731 kg did not meet the requirements (i.e. less than 10 % of the analysed quantity).

Labelling of meat and meat products

In connection with the protective measures adopted in some EU countries, relating to BSE in beef, CAFIA carried out controls of meat products (salamis, sausages, short sausages, etc). The purpose was to verify using the immunochemical Cortex method whether they contain or not beef (muscles) that is not declared on the label. Altogether 65 samples of meat products were analysed (41 from domestic producers and 24 from foreign producers). The results of analyses of 9 samples (6 domestic products and 3 imported) proved the admixture of beef muscle, which was not mentioned on the label.

With the benefit of hindsight, an inspection with the same objective was performed in other packed meat products. This time the total of 41 samples of imported products were analysed whose label did not provide any information about admixture of beef muscle. In this particular case all the analysed samples were satisfying.

Another control of meat and meat products focused on fresh beef meat sold at the butcher's and its proper labelling with the required data. Within the scope of this control altogether 109 premises distributing fresh beef meat were inspected. In 21 cases (i.e. 19 %) the meat was labelled in compliance with the set requirements.

 
 
 
 
Food declared as "gluten-free" and "with low contents of lactose" or "lactose free"

The purpose of controls for the contents of gluten in foodstuffs declared as "gluten-free" and the contents of lactose in foodstuffs declared as "with low contents of lactose" or "lactose free" intended for special dietary uses by persons suffering from food allergies and intolerances was to identify whether the contents of gluten or lactose declared in the label corresponded with their actual contents in the particular foodstuff and whether labelling of these foodstuffs were not false.

The analyses proved that all 7 samples taken for the determination of lactose complied with the set limit. In the case of gluten, 21 food samples were taken, while the set limit was exceeded in 4 samples.

 
Genuineness of honey

The reason for this control was, apart from other things, the fact that adulteration of honey is beginning to become a worldwide problem, not excepting the EU countries or the Czech Republic.

The total of 47 samples of honey were taken. In addition to the laboratory analyses for quality, the so called "saccharic profile" was determined using the liquid chromatography, and the admixtures of syrups on the basis of corn starch and cane sugar were determined using the isotopic method.

Out of the total number of samples analysed, 22 samples (46.8 %) did not meet the set requirements due to various non-conformances, including adulteration: admixture of starch syrup was proved in 8 samples and that of sugar in one sample.

Genuineness and uniformity of table potato varieties

In general, the purpose of the inspections was to find out if the potatoes distributed in the market and identified with a name of the specific variety complied with the specified data and if the declared potato varieties were not sold mixed with other varieties.

In the course of inspections that took place in the period between April and June altogether 131 batches of table potatoes from late harvest of the domestic origin and early potatoes imported. The nonconforming admixtures of different varieties or a declared variety mixed up for another variety were identified in altogether 42 samples, i.e. 32.1 %.

In November the total of 50 batches of table potatoes from late harvest of the domestic origin were inspected. Of them 8 inspected batches did not comply with the requirements, i.e. 16.0 %.