The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (hereinafter “CAFIA” only) releases results of the analyses of dried raisins that were checked for the presence of ochratoxin. The Inspection Authority thus reacts to the initiative and article published in dTest on 3^rd December 2013 that informed the public of alleged detection of mould toxin ochratoxin A in two products on the Czech market. The products concerned were raisins Sultaninen Suntree with best before date by 27^th June 2014, raw material originating in Turkey, importer Heinrich Brűning GmbH, Germany and Nature park Rozinky obří (jumbo Raisins) with best before date by 31^st July 2014, raw material originating in Argentina, supplier: K-Servis a.s., Rudná near Prague.

With regard to the significant time lapse between the sampling carried out by dTest and submission of the suggestion for inspection or release in the magazine, the Inspection Authority did not find the mentioned lots of raisins in retail network despite an immediate response – the raisins were already sold out. CAFIA therefore took samples of ten nearest lots of the same products. The laboratory analysis unequivocally showed that the amount of ochratoxin A in the raisins was under the limit of detectability or under the limit laid down by regulation. The foodstuff concerned is thus safe as regards the given feature.

Further investigation of the case revealed that the distributors had already withdrawn the raisins in question from the retail network because of the precautionary principle resulting from the information published in the dTest magazine. Company K-Servis, a.s. has already withdrawn 4,170 kg of the raw materials and company Kaufland Česká republika v.o.s. 1,505 pieces of raisins Sultaninen Suntree packaged à 200 g.