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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) continuously monitors foodstuffs as to their microbiological safety. Samples for laboratory analysis are taken throughout the whole year, in particular on the basis of the European Commission’s Recommendations.

During last year the CAFIA took 519 samples of different food products: infant formulae, cheeses made from pasteurized milk, soy products, mixed fresh vegetable salads, delicatessen products, confectionery products, fresh chilled minced beef, poultry meat, and packaged water. In addition to this, the inspectors took 20 other samples for which bacterial toxins – Staphylococcus aureus (golden staphylococcus) and Bacillus cereus were determined.

In comparison with 2004, when the CAFIA identified almost 14% of unsatisfactory samples, last year’s inspection came out better: of the 519 samples analysed, 48 (9%) failed to meet microbiological requirements. The tolerable limit values set for coliform bacteria and the total number of microorganisms were exceeded in 11 of 26 (42%) samples of soy products and in 3 of 86 (2.7%) samples of confectionery products. Furthermore, 7 of 80 (9%) delicatessen product samples and 7 of 43 (16%) packaged water samples failed to meet microbiological requirements. The fact that these indicator microorganisms were exceeded indicates violation of the principles of good manufacturing practice or other hygiene deficiencies in food handling practices.

Pathogenic microorganisms – Campylobacter, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes that can cause foodborne illness were found by the CAFIA in 16 out of 42 samples (38%) taken from chilled chicken meat. The presence of Listeria was established in 3 samples of 62 (4.8%) samples of mixed fresh vegetable salads. No bacterial toxins were identified in any of the samples. Other commodities – infant formulae, cheeses, and chilled minced beef complied with all microbiological requirements.