Based on experience with meat products analysed before, it is well-known that some producers offer to consumers falsely labelled ("adulterated") products, which contain also cheaper kinds of meat that are not mentioned among ingredients specified on the label. The objective of this inspection activity was to expose "adulterations".

The CAFIA inspectors took 40 samples of meat products in retail shops (salami, sausages, pâtés, etc.). Analyses were performed in the laboratory of State Veterinary Institute in Jihlava. Using Cortex, the immunochemical method, occurrence of three types of musculature (pork, poultry and beef) was proved. The results were then compared with data on ingredients specified on the labels.

Of 40 samples analysed, 12 samples did not comply with the declared composition of ingredients, which represents 30.0 %.

The most often occurring type of musculature that was not mentioned among ingredients on the label and the occurrence of which was proved in laboratory analyses, was the poultry musculature (in 7 cases), followed by pork musculature (in 4 cases) and beef musculature (in 3 cases).

The inspection confirmed an assumption that some processors of meat and meat products substitute those kinds of meat that are specified on the label, with cheaper raw materials.

CAFIA submitted the whole matter to the State Veterinary Authority to be solved. Results of the inspection were published in daily press and on www.czpi.cz.

Egg pasta

CAFIA obtained information that some producers of pasta marked their products on labels as egg pasta, while in reality the pasta is egg free. Due to not using eggs, they achieve lower prices and better sale of their products, but at the same time consumers are falsely informed and economically harmed. The task of inspection was to disclose a potential infringement of regulations and to remedy the matter.

The inspection took place both in producers and in shops. Inspectors took 44 samples of pasta labelled as egg pasta, of which in 19 samples (this is 43.2 %) the laboratory analyses proved that no eggs had been used in their production.