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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) in 2019 targeted at observation of legislation in the field of advertising of food on the Internet, in press, in retail leaflets, etc. Inspectors carried out a total of 90 inspection entries at 63 operators. Violation of legislation in advertising messages was stated in 71 cases. The inspection was aimed at ordering parties, authors as well as providers of food advertisements (in the meaning of definitions laid down by Act No. 40/1995 Coll., on Advertising Regulation).

The deficiencies detected most often concerned advertising of food supplements on the Internet and in printed media. The inspectors often encountered indicating of unauthorized nutrition, health or even medical claims as well as misleading information on foodstuffs.

When advertising foodstuffs – thus food supplements as well – only authorised health claims compliant with Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 could be used. Temporary use of health claims of which assessment has not been finished yet and which are included on so-called “On hold List” is also possible. Use of so-called medical claims at foodstuffs (including food supplements) is prohibited by legislation as treating effects cannot be assigned to any foodstuff – this is reserved to medicaments only.

The most cases were reported in the field of Internet sale, thus in e-shops or advertising websites. CAFIA ordered the inspected persons to remove the non-compliant advertising messages without undue delay and will initiate and administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected persons.

CAFIA has the authority to check advertisement since Act No. 40/1995 Coll., on Advertising Regulation has been amended and came into effect in 2015. This authority does not comprise television and radio broadcasting. Within inspection of advertising campaigns affecting the area of audiovisual other media, CAFIA co-operates with the Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting.

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

24^th January 2020