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Food originating from Asia is becoming more and more popular among Czech consumers. Traders respond to this increased demand and hence the number of shops specialised in sale of Asian foodstuffs is rising as well. However, findings of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority show that consumers should pay higher attention to information on the packaging, in particular to the recommended use and dosage.  

CAFIA inspectors took several samples of dried seaweeds, at which the amount of iodine was examined. The European Food Safety Authority states 600 micrograms of iodine daily as a maximum recommended dosage. Three products failed to comply with this limit; if a human consumed the whole package of these seaweeds, than the recommended daily dosage of iodine would be exceeded in several fold amount. However, seaweeds are not usually consumed in such amount, but they are used for cooking of sushi or as spice as well. Some are not even consumed directly, but seaweeds broth is added to soups or traditional Japanese sauce. The labelling of seaweeds should therefore contain exact description of the way of use and also the highest amount which can be consumed during one day. Nevertheless, this information was missing in case of all three products or the information was inappropriate, therefore the products were banned. Distributors can sale them again only if the information is added.  

CAFIA entered this information into the system of Rapid Alert Food and Feed of the European Union. High occurrence of iodine in seaweeds was handled in previous year twice by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority and 5 cases have been revealed in this year. Czech population ranks with the populations with shortage of iodine and thereby it is more predisposed to overdose.