• Entrepreneurs
• Business information
• Certification
• CAFIA laboratories
• CAFIA opinions
• More information
• Consumers
• How to know the food market
• Results of CAFIA inspections
• Consumer rights
• List of risky sites
• Hoaxes
• Other visitors
• Press Releases
• Internships at CAFIA
• Public contracts

The results of an inspection campaign conducted by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) focusing on the quality of olive oils available on the Czech market revealed that 44.4% of the evaluated samples did not meet legal requirements. The most serious violations were found in olive oils that were labelled as "extra virgin" but were, in reality, of a lower quality category.

Analyses carried out by CAFIA, including tests conducted at the accredited Laboratory of Olive Oil Tasting in Slovenia and a domestic accredited CAFIA laboratory, confirmed that out of 18 evaluated samples, a total of 8 were non-compliant. In 7 cases, the oils were falsely labelled as "extra virgin" but actually belonged to a lower quality category, misleading Czech consumers with incorrect information on the label. Additionally, 2 samples had labelling deficiencies (with 1 sample failing both the quality category and proper labelling requirements).

A detailed overview of both compliant and non-compliant samples, including product names, sales locations, and photographic documentation, has been published by CAFIA on the Food Pillory website under the Thematic Controls section.

Regular inspections of olive oils indicate that some imported products often fail to meet their declared quality category, suggesting that importers underestimate the ability of Czech authorities to assess the quality of olive oils. Although the Czech Republic is not a producer of this type of product, olive oil quality inspections in the country follow European legal standards, utilizing accredited laboratories both domestically and abroad.

The objective of this inspection campaign was to verify whether extra virgin and virgin olive oils from various countries of origin comply with the physical, chemical, and sensory parameters, as well as the labelling requirements set by Commission Regulations (EU) 2022/2104 and 2022/2105, along with other relevant regulations.

In 2023, a total of 67% of the evaluated samples failed to meet the required standards.

CAFIA will continue to inspect the quality and safety of olive oils with the same level of intensity next year. Information about non-compliant samples will be shared with the regulatory authorities in the respective countries of origin.

CAFIA has ordered retailers to withdraw the non-compliant batches from the market and will initiate administrative proceedings to impose fines on the responsible parties.

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

29^th January 2025