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Every year, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carries out an intensive inspection activity focusing on the presence of pesticide residues in foodstuffs. As a part of this activity, the CAFIA takes 800 - 1000 samples every year to assess them in its own accredited laboratory. In 2022, inspectors took a total of 834 food samples, out of which 126 originated from the Czech Republic, 398 from the EU, and 260 from so-called third countries (non-EU countries). For 72 samples, the country of origin was not indicated.

By far the lowest proportion of foodstuffs exceeding the limit for pesticides or containing unauthorised pesticides was confirmed in foodstuffs originating from the Czech Republic and the EU, in both cases about 1.5% of the samples assessed. The highest proportion of non-compliant samples was found in foodstuffs from third countries, with a total of 25.8% of the samples evaluated.

The result confirms CAFIA long-term findings, where especially in foodstuffs originating from Southeast Asia, a high proportion of foodstuffs with the presence of pesticides several times above the permitted limit, food with unauthorized pesticides or with a cocktail of up to eight pesticide substances is found on a regular basis. The data point to a systemic problem in these countries. Food imported into the EU from third countries must comply with the requirements applicable in the EU.

The most frequently detected commodities are fresh herbs (basil, coriander), fresh vegetables (chillies, fruit vegetables), citrus fruits, and teas. For examples of such detections, see CAFIA press releases of  7.11.2022, 18.5.2022, 9.8.2022 and further.

Within the framework of pesticide inspections, CAFIA evaluates a wide range of commodities, including fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables and products thereof, cereals, rice, potatoes, cultivated mushrooms, olive oils, citrus juices, oil seeds, legumes, infant and baby food and many others. Currently, the CAFIA laboratory can determine presence of 496 pesticide substances including metabolites.

CAFIA will continue with intensive inspections focused on pesticides in foodstuffs, with an emphasis on risky commodities and countries of origin. CAFIA inspectors carry out inspections throughout the entire marketing chain, i.e. from customs premises at the entry into the Czech Republic up to the market network.

Administrative proceedings on imposition of fines have been initiated with the inspected persons concerned.

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

8^th March 2023