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With regard to repeated deficiencies detected at imported foodstuffs originating both from third countries and other EU Member States, CAFIA will continue with targeted verification of parameters of foodstuffs which are not of domestic origin.

National and European food market is undergoing a significant transformation consisting in dynamic growth of sale via the Internet. The number of online food sellers registered at the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority has been increasing by 100 – 200% year-on-year. At the present time there are 897 registered sellers.

According to the consumers’ survey of Acomaware company made in 2016, 65% of domestic consumers have positive or neutral attitude to purchasing foodstuffs via the Internet. At the same time, only 7 % of respondents said that they purchased mostly online, while 78% of respondents preferred “permanent” retails. This information shows that there is a significant potential for extension of online food sale and dynamic development in the near future, similarly as in the assortment of consumable goods could be expected.

The shift into the online environment changed the traditional concept of food sale. Apart from sale via particular websites, also sale via various applications for mobile phones, tablets (so-called (mCommerce) and via social networks (fCommerce) is occurred in wider and wider extent.

CAFIA has been paying an increased attention to the inspections of distance sale already since 2007. Since 2013, CAFIA Inspectorates have been equipped with working places for anonymous purchases (sampling) via the Internet preventing identification of the CAFIA inspector’s computer by the inspected person.

Results of CAFIA inspections show that significant part of operators of Internet shops with foodstuffs fail to comply with legislation. More than 41% of inspections carried out this year in the field of Internet sale were non-compliant. Violations may concern the foodstuff itself or its denomination on the Internet.

Missing mandatory information on the foodstuffs in the e-shop, indication of unauthorised nutrition and health claims provided on the website or on the product and sale of food supplements with unauthorised substances are the most frequent violations. Food supplements, spirit drinks, wine, confectionary products, meals, teas, etc. are the commodities which are inspected the most.

Consumers purchasing via the Internet have a right for the same level of protection as consumers in “permanent” shops. Legal protection consists in particular in safety and quality of the offered foodstuffs and level of information provided to consumers in connection with the offered goods by the e-shop operator.

Since 20^th October 2016, consumers will find the results of inspections of the Internet sales and further areas of CAFIA inspection also on Instagram, namely on account Potraviny na pranýři. CAFIA enters the fastest developing social network in the CR with more than 600,000 users, and accommodates thus the youngest generation of consumes preferring picture communication.

The aim is to attract less informed consumers to the issue of food safety and quality by means of less formal communication, and connect social networks with extensive information for consumers on the CAFIA website and Food Pillory project. Since 2014 CAFIA has been operating Food Pillory on Facebook (19,600 fans) and Twitter (4,463 fans) as well.

Article by: Pavel Kopřiva, CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633