The Inspection Authority received an official report from the Rapid Alert System (RASFF) from Poland concerning the investigation of use of waste salt from chemical industry for food production. The statement of the Polish side indicates that 793 tons of salt and foodstuffs were withdrawn from the Polish market within the investigation. Only one tenth of originally detained products were put into circulation again after safety of withdrawn foodstuffs had been verified. However, the report does not specify how the remaining 90% of withdrawn foodstuffs and salt were treated.

The report unambiguously says that Poland, on the basis of precautionary principle, approached to withdrawal of these foodstuffs from its market. The country proceeded in compliance with legislation framework of the European Union (Regulation No. 178/2002, Article 19). However, consumers from other countries were deprived of this right as respective information was not handed to them. Poland thus failed to ensure the same level of consumers’ protection in all EU member states. The country did so only on its territory and this way flagrantly violated elementary principles of European law.

With respect to the fact that the report is again completely unspecific as regards single sorts or brands of the Polish foodstuffs suspected of presence of waste salt, supervisory authorities are thus practically incapable to ensure withdrawal of suspected foodstuffs in other EU member states.

The Report says: “…the health of consumers had to be protected on the first place, SHI (the State Sanitary Inspection Authority in Poland) therefore fully mustered its forces and took all necessary steps to identify the foodstuffs into which adulterated salt was added as fast as possible.” Czech consumers were de facto deprived of this approach. Czech side has been trying to obtain the information since the beginning of this year.