The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) carried out an inspection activity focused on repeated violation of legislation by retail chains with the emphasis on misconducts occurring directly in the shops. Within this inspection, CAFIA carried out 311 inspections at 230 premises of retails chains with the most significant representation on the Czech market. 302 food samples were assessed within this inspection, out of which 298 were evaluated on the spot whereas 4 in a laboratory. CAFIA focused on 550 deficiencies found at the turn of 2013 and 2014.

CAFIA found that out of 550 original violations of legislation, almost 47% were repeated. Hygiene standards were violated in the majority of cases followed by non-observance of minimum quality requirements, inappropriate labelling, visible moulds, and sale of foodstuffs with expired use by date or best before date. CAFIA also revealed further 531 new violations of legislation.

The fact that retail chains fail to take appropriate measures in almost 50% misconducts found by CAFIA is alarming. CAFIA will assess each case individually within administrative procedure and will decide on the amount of fines. In 2013 CAFIA imposed fines amounting to 64,121,500 CZK, which is almost by 50% more compared to the previous year.

Inspected person	Number of repeated deficiencies	Inspected person	Number of repeated deficiencies
BILLA, spol. s r. o.	52	SPAR Česká obchodní společnost s.r.o.	17
AHOLD Czech Republic, a.s.	48	H R U Š K A , spol. s r.o.	16
Tesco Stores ČR a.s.	45	Lidl Česká republika v.o.s.	10
Kaufland Česká republika v.o.s.	33	Družstva JEDNOTA a COOP	10
Penny Market s.r.o.	17	PMU CZ, a.s.	4