Since 1^st January 2015, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) is newly responsible for inspection of so-called public catering premises and had already started to check such establishments. During its inspection carried out on 15^th January 2015, CAFIA found out inacceptable conditions as regards hygiene in the premises – bar owned by Van Duc Nguyen based on ČSM square No. 695 in Chodov near Sokolov. The inspection revealed that there was no hot water available in the whole area of the bar and at the same time, there was no equipment for washing dishes, e.g. a dishwasher. The staff therefore had no facility for appropriate washing dishes used for serving beverages and meals. Contrary to requirements of good hygiene practice, CAFIA further found littered wrappings in the whole serving area of the bar as well as filth and dust on the floor resulting from constant cleaning malpractices. The lavatory for visitors and staff was not separated and there was no hot water on the lavatory available too. From the reasons mentioned above, CAFIA imposed a measure on the spot – ban on using the premises until the detected deficiencies are removed. CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the operator.

In connection with amendment of the Act on Foodstuffs, responsibilities of CAFIA have been extended since 1^st January 2015. Besides existing establishments mainly in the field of retail and wholesale of foodstuffs and production, CAFIA also performs inspections in public catering establishments. Namely restaurants, sweet shops, tea rooms, fast foods and catering provided within retails and petrol stations, wine bars and disco clubs, pubs, tap houses, bars, amusements arcades, etc. CAFIA will regularly inform consumers on serious violations of legislation in the field of food safety and adulteration, hygiene of sale, etc. in public catering establishments by means of press releases, Food Pillory, Facebook and Twitter. Serious deficiencies of operators of which surveillance had been carried out already before 2015 are published similar way.

 

 Article by: Pavel Kopřiva, CAFIA Spokesperson