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In recent days, inspectors of the Czech Agricultural and Food inspections managed in cooperation with the Customs Administration of the CR to detain a shipment of raisins from China, which was destined for European markets.

Laboratory analysis of raisins revealed presence of foreign substances, particularly mineral oils. The presence of mineral oil in any food is undesirable because it is a mixture of hydrocarbons derived from oil and contaminated food is not suitable for human consumption.

For this reason, CAFIA issued to the competent customs office its binding opinion not to release the consignment into free circulation. The shipment was divided into two containers, each containing 21,000 kg of raisins. In total, 42 tons of raisins were seized. The importer has to provide inspectors with information of the shipment´s disposal. It can be either returned to the suppliers or destroyed.

To protect its market, the Czech Republic has identified some risky foodstuffs from third countries and enrolled them on a "red list". Such foods are checked during the imports, and among the items on the list are raisins. Due to the effectiveness of such measures, contaminated shipments do not reach the European market and consumers are not exposed to any health risks.

Information on supply of raisins was also sent to the attention of the other EU Member States through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).