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CAFIA revealed low quality of imported cheeses – each fourth was non-compliant

08/21/2018
 

Based on the non-compliant results of inspections carried out in the past by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA), another targeted inspection activity was performed. The inspection was focused on the assortment of natural semi-hard cheeses originating in abroad. Edam, Cheddar, Gouda and others are the sorts of semi-hard cheeses most known by Czech consumers.

Within a targeted inspection activity, CAFIA inspectors checked the total of 121 samples of natural semi-hard cheeses. 64 lots were analysed in a laboratory. Out of this number, 15 failed to comply with a particular parameter, which is almost a quarter. The proportion of non-compliant samples as well as the types of violations show that a range of producers from abroad do not pay sufficient attention to checks of quality of foodstuffs intended for the CR market.

9 samples contained higher content of salt than indicated on the labelling, 4 samples contained lower proportion of dry matter and 3 samples contained lower proportion of fat in dry matter than stated on the labelling. Dry matter and fat in dry matter are regarded as the key parameters of quality of cheese. If the real content of dry matter or fat in dry matter is lower than indicated on the labelling by the producer, misleading of consumers is concerned. Higher than declared content of salt in certain products represented very extensive failure to keep nutritional data indicated in the table of nutritional values which has to be indicated on the labelling.

Summary of all non-compliant samples is given in the table below. CAFIA also released the overview of all assessed samples on the Food Pillory in section Thematic inspections together with pictures.

The inspectors took the samples at 13 inspected persons – in particular in big retails. CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected persons.

With regard to the unsatisfactory results of the inspection activity, CAFIA will carry on exerting pressure on the segment of imported semi-hard cheeses in the future.

 

Summary of non-compliant samples:

 

Name of the products

Country of origin, supplier

Parameter

Detected value

Stated value

Kaškaval kravský údený (Kaskaval smoked cheese, cow milk)

Country of origin: Without specification, producer/seller/operator: Agrofarma, spol s r. o., Červený Kameň, Slovakia.

NaCl

1.88 g/100 g

1.3 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.0 – 1.6)  g/100 g

Gouda mladá plátky (young sliced Gouda)

Country of origin: Without specification, supplier: Bouter Cheese, Culemborg, Netherlands, supplier: DC CHLAZENE CAO FAST OL+KL

NaCl

3.0 g/100 g

1,8 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.4 – 2.2)  g/100 g

Cheddar Red 50+

Netherlands

NaCl

2.15 g/100 g

1.55 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.24 – 1.86) g/100 g

Gouda "stará" plátky (“old” sliced Gouda)

Country of origin: Without specification, supplier: Bouter Cheese, Culemborg, Netherlands, supplier: DC CHLAZENE CAO FAST OL+KL

Dry matter

69.1 % ± 1.5 % (68.1 – 70.1) %

75%

Bluedino Gouda

Poland

NaCl

1.6 g/100 g

1.25 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.00 – 1.50) g/100 g

Eidam 250 g, Bluedino

Poland

Dry matter

55.0 % ± 1.5 % (54.2 – 55.8)%

57%

Mature CHEDDAR

Great Britain

Dry matter

60.4 % ± 1.5  % ( 59.5 – 61.3)%

62%

Ementaler

Poland

Fat in dry matter

42.4 % ± 3 % (41.1 – 43.7) %

min. 45 %

Gouda mladá, plátky (young sliced
Gouda)

Netherlands

Dry matter

58.3 % ± 1.5 % ( 57.4 – 59.2)%

62.5%

Gouda 48+, uleželá (mature Gouda)

Country of origin: Without specification, producer/seller/operator: Hazeleger Kaas B. V. (Netherlands)

NaCl

2.12 g/100 g

1.4 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.12 – 1.68) g/100 g

LYE CROSS FARM Mild Cheddar

Country of origin: Without specification, producer/seller/operator: LYE CROSS FARM, Great Britain

NaCl

2. 88 g/100 g

1.8 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.44 – 2.16) g/100 g

Milkana Classic - plotučný zrající sýr (Milkana Classic  full-fat ripening cheese)

France

NaCl

1.69 g/100 g

1.27 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.02 – 1.52) g/100 g

Milbona Gouda, 200 g

 

Netherlands

 

NaCl

2.65 g/100 g

1.97 g/100 g ± 20 % (1.58 – 2.36) g/100 g

Fat in dry matter

46.0 ± 3 % (44.6 – 47.4) %

min. 48 %

Milbona Gouda, plnotučný sýr strouhaný (full-fat grated cheese)

Netherlands

Fat in dry matter

45.3 ± 3 % (43.9 – 46.7) %

min. 48 %

Bluedino KRÁLOVSKÝ SÝR

Poland

NaCl

1.42 g/100 g

1.0 g/100 g ± 20 % (0.8 – 1.2) g/100 g

 

 

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

21st August 2018