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2. INSPECTIONS

2.4 Inspection of contaminants

In 2003 a total of 4053 samples were collected to check the content of contaminants in foodstuffs; out of this number 198 (4.9%) failed. The greatest number of analyses was conducted in the group of pesticide residues, then in colouring agents and preservatives. 

To determine the pesticide residues, 821 foodstuff samples were collected; a total of 57339 analyses were conducted on them. The pesticide residues exceeding the limit were found during 8 analyses. The failed foodstuffs mainly included citrus fruit, cabbages and fruit vegetables; the pesticides found were fenpropathrin, tebuconazole, metalaxyle and dithiocarbamates. 

The highest number of unsatisfactory results was found when checking colouring agents: 104 analyses out of the total of 6964 conducted analyses gave unsatisfactory results; this particularly applied to egg-free pasta, table wine and jams. In the failed foodstuffs either unapproved synthetic colouring agents or the limit-exceeding amounts of the colouring agents were used. The failures mainly concerned azorubin, brillant black, ponceau 4R and tartrazine.  

A sulphur dioxide and sorbic acid were the most frequently checked analytes from the group of preservatives, followed by the benzoic acid mainly in wine. In the group of preservatives a total of 2940 analyses were conducted (on 586 samples) out of which 47 analyses gave unsatisfactory results. 

From the group of sweeteners saccharine and sorbitol were those most frequently checked (a total of 401 analyses were conducted, out of which 11 gave unsatisfactory results). Failures were mainly found in jams, marmalades and lactic fermentation vegetable mixtures).

Within the group of other additives including for example chlorides, sulphates, acetates, glutamates, quinine, or caffeine, 349 analyses of foodstuffs were conducted. They gave a total of 15 unsatisfactory results; most frequently it was due to limit-exceeding amounts of hesperidin. 

During the detection of chemical elements 96 analyses (in 48 samples) out of the total of 1884 conducted foodstuff analyses gave unsatisfactory results due to the exceeding of or failing to comply with the values declared. The failures mainly concerned phosphorus, cadmium, mercury and manganese. The commodities in which unsatisfactory findings were confirmed were poppy seeds, cocoa powder, jams and marmalades.

The total of 842 foodstuff analyses (in 115 samples) were conducted to determine the content of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH); no result confirmed the limit-exceeding content of these substances.

The total of 63 foodstuff samples were collected to determine the content of phthalates. 193 analyses were conducted, out of which 2 analyses were assessed as giving unsatisfactory results (the affected foodstuffs were found among spirits).

In the group of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxines (PCDD) no unsatisfactory sample was found in the total of 164 analyses conducted. 

In the group of aromatic hydrocarbons (non-chlorinated, chlorinated, with an aliphatic chain) 20 unsatisfactory results were acquired out of the total of 780 analyses. The failures mainly concerned toluene, xylene, styrene, ethyl-benzene, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in the samples of natural mineral water and rice.

In the framework of detecting other organic contaminants the total of 1346 analyses were conducted; out of them only 2 were assessed as giving unsatisfactory results.

As to mycotoxins, 2 limit-exceeding cases were ascertained out of the total of 771 analyses conducted. The substance concerned was aflatoxin B1 in pistachio nuts.

In the groups of analytes - amines, nitrosamines and alkaloids - no limit-exceeding values were found. In the group of other natural toxins, which for example included ethyl-carbamates, enterotoxins or staphylococcus enterotoxins, a total of 147 analyses were conducted out of which 3 showed unsatisfactory results.

The highest percentage of unsatisfactory results (7.75%) was found in the group of nitrates. A total of 258 analyses were conducted out of which 20 gave unsatisfactory results (in cabbages and root vegetables.

In the group of antibiotics 37 analyses were conducted, out of which 5 gave unsatisfactory results.

Summary of contaminants inspections

Summary of chemical elements inspections

Overall summary of pesticide residues inspections