All results of inspections of honey in retail network released by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) on 29th August 2013 were in compliance with respective legislation. Results important for protection of consumers are concerned. Decree No. 76/2003 Coll. lays down definition of honey, which says that honey is a foodstuff of natural saccharide character to which further substances including additives cannot be added. Another sort of honey is the only exception. This definition is crucial for inspection focused on adulteration of honey. CAFIA uses all available tools provided by legislation to detect food adulteration. The Authority strictly follows Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004, on official controls, both in relation to laboratories which can be used for the inspection purposed and which have to be accredited pursuant to EN ISO/IEC 17025, and in relation to the methods used by these laboratories. CAFIA has no reason to dispute results of the used accredited laboratory.

As regards the statement of representatives of JSG company related to the decision of the State Veterinary Administration, CAFIA states, that CAFIA is not competent to comment decisions of another supervision body in any way.

During its inspections and releasing the results, CAFIA proceeds in entire transparent manner. As a first supervision body, CAFIA launched application www.potravinynapranyri.cz. We refuse the allegation that CAFIA fails to address the suggestions. When dealing with suggestions, CAFIA proceeds in compliance with legislation and deals with the suggestion in a consistent manner. Only in 2012, more than 6,000 suggestions were solved by CAFIA.

Author: Martin Štoll