CAFIA is a state administration body subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. It is a state authority responsible for supervision of safety, quality and labelling of foodstuffs.

Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority

CAFIA is a state administration body subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. It is a state authority responsible for supervision of safety, quality and labelling of foodstuffs.

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Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic [open in new window]

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CAFIA ordered to withdraw counterfeit cocoa powder imported from Poland from circulation

10/01/2003

Product designated as „Kakao holandské tmavé“, which was imported under the private label Bellarom from Poland to the Czech Republic by retail chain Lidl Česká republika, v.o.s., provebly contains only 30% of pure cocoa powder. This retail chain was also offering this cocoa powder for sale.

CAFIA has proved that the product contains 70% of non-permissible substance, which was identified as polysacharides. CAFIA experts assume that the substance found in the product is most probably starch. Such a practice is qualified by a relevant act as a „deception of customers“, respectively „falsification“, because only a product that contains 100 % of a cocoa powder can be designated as a „cocoa powder“.

CAFIA obliged the importer (and the retailer in one) to withdraw this product immediately from circulation and launched administrative proceedings. When importing next time, the importer has also duty to present document proving that the imported cocoa powder is pure.

Photo: Adulterated product designated as "Kakao holandské tmavé", 200 g packed into paper containairs. (CAFIA)

Author: RNDr. Daniela Kolejková - 55344 CSc. - Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority