CAFIA is a state administration body subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. It is a state authority responsible for supervision of safety, quality and labelling of foodstuffs.

Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority

CAFIA is a state administration body subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. It is a state authority responsible for supervision of safety, quality and labelling of foodstuffs.

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CAFIA detected unsafe food supplement with exceptional amount of dissolvent and further unauthorised substances

07/07/2020

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) found a non-compliant lot of food supplement Todicamp – Extract from green walnut – packaged à 115 ml, best before date by: 11.2022, lot: 202211TDC, producer: Todicamp S.R.L., country of origin: Moldova. The inspectors took the sample at the premises of company Bohemian Symfony s.r.o., Zámecký vrch 423/18, Karlovy Vary. According to the supplier’s information, the lot in question contained 331 pieces.

Laboratory analysis revealed presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), namely of naphthalene (detected amount: 782 320 micrograms per kilogram – µg/kg, limit: 10 µg/kg), acenaphthene (detected amount: 1105 µg/kg, limit: 10 µg/kg), fluorene (detected amount: 2579 µg/kg, limit: 10 µg/kg), phenanthrene (detected amount: 2141 µg/kg, limit: 10 µg/kg) and pyrene (detected amount: 107.5 µg/kg, limit: 10 µg/kg). Regulation (EU) No. 1881/2006 lays down fixed limits for the presence of PAH, thus oil products. The levels of PAH detected by the laboratory in the food supplement in question significantly exceeded the limits, namely by more than 10,000 times in certain parameters.

Laboratory analysis further proved that the preparation contains residues of harmful dissolving agents, namely of: toluene (detected amount: 161 mg/l), xylene (detected amount: 505 mg/l) and ethylbenzene (detected amount: 160 mg/l). The amounts of the mentioned substances detected in the food supplement exceeded the levels regarded as safe by 10 times up to 100 times. The use of these substance during food production is not allowed by legislation.

Chemical analysis proved presence of substances which are prohibited in food industry as well as of substances in amounts significantly above the limit laid down by legislation. Their consumption may be very unsafe for humans and the foodstuff is thus assessed as unsafe for human health.

The labelling contained, inter alia, following information: “Ingredients: Walnuts, paraffin oil; Nutritional values: Patented walnut extract in saturated hydrocarbon blend, iodide, RDA mcg: 150 mcg, RDD in the preparation: 30 mcg, %DD:20%; Route of administration: 25 drops (0.25 ml) 3x a day, 30 minutes during the day before the main dish. The length of the use: 8 weeks. Oil solution. Organic, without sugar.”

CAFIA recommends all consumers who purchased the given lot of the food supplement that they do not eat it.

CAFIA ordered to immediately withdraw the non-compliant lot from the market and will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected person.

Article by: Bc. Marek Bartík – CAFIA Media Communication Officer,

phone: +420 542 426 633