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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) will impose fines amounting up to several hundred thousand crowns on some Julius Meinl stores for unprecedented handling of foodstuffs.

During inspection of a store at Lannova třída, České Budějovice, inspectors found out that saleswomen in the delicatessen section were forced by their superior to strange practices. He forced them to take mouldy and differently defective cheeses and smoked meats out of a box into which overdue and unwholesome food intended for disposal was placed. The saleswomen had to “treat” it and put it back on sale. They were forced to wash the cheeses and smoked meats in salted or vinegar water and then glaze them with oil so that they looked fresh, and to cut out mouldy food and resell it. However, these practices did not concern only the outlet at Lannova třída. Expired food from other Julius Meinl stores was taken daily to this outlet for such “treatment”. The cold store where washed smoked meats and cheeses were stored was nicknamed “rendering plant”. The inspectors found, for example, salami on sale that expired already in May, and according to CAFIA´s information, food expired for several months was being washed there at the beginning of September.

An administrative proceeding will be initiated with the store and a heavy fine will be imposed on it. Moreover, the CAFIA lodged a complaint against Julius Meinl with the Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, České Budějovice, for selling foodstuffs threatening consumer health and for extortion.

The Julius Meinl company ceases its business activities in the Czech Republic, however, this does not mean that in last months of its functioning it will not respect the relevant law. The CAFIA will inform control authorities of other Member States about the practices of Julius Meinl.