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CAFIA detected gluten in “gluten-free” meals in restaurants

01/24/2022
 

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out an inspection activity focused on foodstuffs and meals labelled as “gluten-free” and containing “low content of gluten”. The inspectors took the total of 35 food samples to be analysed in the CAFIA accredited laboratory. This number included 21 samples of packaged foodstuffs, 7 samples of non-packaged foodstuffs, and 7 meal samples. The samples were taken in whole sales, retail network and also restaurants.

An operator can use statement “gluten-free” only if the foodstuff or the meal contains less than 20 mg/kg of gluten. As regards foodstuffs with statement “low gluten content”, the threshold value for presence of gluten is 100 mg/kg.

Non-compliant parameters were confirmed at two samples:

  • Meal Beans with paneer in cream sauce, place of sampling: Ladislav Paldus, "Vege bistro" V Šipce 683/10, 301 00 Plzeň. The meal was provided with information “gluten-free”, however, the laboratory analysis proved presence of gluten in this meal amounting to 70.9 mg/kg. The amount of gluten thus severalfold exceeded the maximum permitted level for gluten-free foodstuffs.
  • Meal BEJKN & ČÍZ in gluten-free bread, place of sampling: UScatering s.r.o., "BEJZMENT", Na bělidle 309/31, 150 00 Prague. The meal was included in the section “Are you the celiac? Have burger or sandwich in gluten-free bread” However, the laboratory analysis proved presence of gluten in this meal amounting to 36.1 mg/kg and 105 mg/kg in the bread itself. The amount of gluten thus severalfold exceeded the maximum permitted level for gluten-free foodstuffs.

Summary of all non-compliant and compliant samples assessed within the mentioned inspection activity is available on the Food Pillory website, where CAFIA releases its inspection findings in the Thematic controls section.

CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected persons.

 

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

24th January 2021