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Fruit and vegetables in big shopping chains and in some selected retail establishments

The purpose of this extensive control activity focusing on food quality, safety and labelling was to obtain an impartial picture about the condition and standard of sales of fresh vegetables and fruit.

The inspection took place in the most important shopping centres operating nation-wide and locally. In total, 38 entities were inspected, of which 14 operating almost all over the territory of the Czech Republic, and 24 inspected entities operating locally.

The inspectors checked on 13,974 batches of fresh fruit and vegetables in 415 retail establishments, of which 1,950 batches, i.e. 14.0 % were evaluated as nonconforming. With view to a considerable extent of the inspected batches such a share of nonconforming batches can be considered an impartial assessment of the quality of the fresh fruit and vegetables distributed by the most important shopping centres.

Foodstuffs for sportsmen

This inspection applied to foodstuffs intended for special nutrition of sportsmen that are distributed in fit-centres and specialised shops selling goods for sportsmen. In the course of the inspection altogether 1,349 foodstuffs were inspected in 77 establishments.

The scope of the inspection was to find out whether the products in circulation are provided with an issued valid approval of the Ministry of Health, whether they are distributed packed only, or whether the dealers adhere to the hygienic requirements for the selling of food and whether labelling of these foodstuffs complies with the rules and regulations.

The total of 195 samples were evaluated as nonconforming, which represents 14.5 % of the evaluated total number. The most frequently occurring non-conformances were: non-existence of the valid approval of the Ministry of Health, data on the label were not translated in Czech or were incomplete. The hygienic requirements were not infringed in any of the cases.

Occurrence of the genetically modified DNA in foodstuffs and raw materials containing soya

Objective of this inspection was to identify, using the PCR method, to what extent the food and raw materials containing the genetically modified DNA are released into circulation. If a particular foodstuff contains the genetically modified DNA, it is classified as novel food and subjects to a special regime of releasing food into circulation, in accordance with the Food Law.

The total of 20 samples of foodstuffs and raw materials were analysed. The modified DNA was detected in 5 food samples and 2 samples of raw materials, which means that either a genetically modified raw material was used in their manufacturing or the raw material was contaminated with the modified substance in the production process. The inspection proved that at present a significant number of foods containing the genetically modified DNA are released into circulation.

In 2001, it was enough to obtain an approval of the Ministry of Health for releasing the foods into circulation, whereas starting from January 1, 2002 the novel food has to be labelled in compliance with the relevant regulation.

Soya products

This inspection focused mainly on sour soy products, tofu, soy mayonnaise, tempeh, soy drinks and soy instant drinks. The objective was to verify the system of critical points in the producers of soy food, as this food represents an increased risk from the perspective of infringement of food safety regulations, and to analyse the microbiological and quality requirements.

In the course of this action the total of 14 manufacturers of soy products were inspected and in 5 cases the samples were taken in the market network. Out of the total of 68 samples taken, 25 samples did not comply with the microbiological or analytical requirements or requirements for labelling, which is 36.8 %.

Sparkling and fizzy wines

Inspections focused on sparkling and fizzy wines both of domestic and foreign origin released into circulation in the period before Christmas. The objective was to control the food safety, quality and labelling, including potential adulterations.

Altogether 58 samples were tested, of which 32 samples did not comply with the set standards, most often due to the nonconforming sugar-free extract. No case of food safety infringement was identified. The inspection proved that mainly sparkling wines of the small and unknown producers represent a risk.

Quality wines - registration, invoices and mercantile papers

This inspection focused on the sellers and producers of quality wines. The main objective was to identify whether consumers are not deceived due to the fact that wines not valuated or classified by the Expert Commission at the Ministry of Agriculture, assigned to do the evaluation and classification of wines, are described as quality wines. The inspection took place in 105 sellers, 92 producers (of which 83 producers from the Moravian regions and 9 producers from Bohemian regions) and in 2 distributors. Non-conformances were identified only in a few isolated cases.

Quality of table potatoes from late harvest

The purpose of this inspection was to assess the condition of table potatoes from late harvest put into circulation by the producers and small retailers, and to remove the non-conformances. In accordance with the initial suggestions obtained in January and February 2001, this commodity did not comply with the set requirements to a great deal.

Altogether 441 batches of table potatoes from late harvest were inspected, of which 201 batches did not comply with the legal regulations, i.e. 45.6 %. Among the most important non-conformances identified prevailed those occurring in the potato flesh (i.e. colour changes to the flesh) - growing grey almost black - that were identified in 131 batches, i.e. in 29.7 %, of the total number of batches inspected.