As in previous years, the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority has been carrying out inspections of half fermented wine sale in the course of the whole sale period, duration of which is defined by law – thus from 1 August to 30 November. Among others, inspectors have been checking hygiene conditions at the place of sale as well as documentation related to the sale of half fermented wine. Labelling is also under control; the seller has to label the product correctly with its name and name of producer. The labelling ‘half fermented wine with added water’ is not acceptable according to law.

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority pays a constant attention to inspections of food supplements. Within a targeted inspection, 102 food supplements which in certain regard did not comply with requirements of legislation were revealed in the previous year. This way, already 52 non-complying supplements were detected this year.

Laboratory analyses proved presence of a dangerous substance in another food supplement intended for enhancing potency which originated in China. This time the food supplement Sagirra was concerned, sold in small plastic bottles containing four pills. The expiry date of the identified unwholesome batch is September 2011.

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority banned the sale of several batches of noodles imported from China to the Czech Republic by company F.W.Tandoori, Ltd. This kind of pasta contained levels of aluminium which exceeded the limits set by the Ministry of Health for similar cases. The ban applies to following products and batches:

The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority ordered to withdraw product Jádra lískových ořechů neloupaná – Hazelnut kernels non-peeled (packaging a 200g, best before: 30 September 2009, batch identification: L 66072) from circulation. Presence of mould detected by CAFIA inspectors was the reason for this.

Czech Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority in cooperation with the Customs Office in Liberec succeeded in revealing a consignment of tea originating in China which contained plants banned for foodstuffs.

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) was launched 30 years ago. The system has undergone many modifications during this time; it was influenced by development of communication networks and by enlargement of the European Union as well. However, the principle remained the same. Countries which are involved in the system mutually exchange information related to dangerous food and feed present on the European market. When one of the network members detects a dangerous foodstuff on its territory and there is only a suspicion that it might have been distributed to another country, he must promptly notify that country through the system. An authority in charge of that country can then take immediate measures necessary for protection of the consumers‘ health.

Rocket is a plant from the eruca family which is consumed as a green vegetable. In last days the Czech media brought the information about the case from Germany where a poisonous plant senecio was revealed in one package of rocket. Both plants are very similar. In consequence to this information the concerns might arise among public that this product could be found on the Czech market. Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) would like to provide more detailed information.

Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) successfully concluded two last projects financed by means of the Transition Facility program. Both projects were realized in the first semester of 2009 and their costs were fully covered by the EU financial resources

A forty-tonne consignment of Chinese raisins aimed at the European market was transported over the Czech territory. Upon the warning from the Customs Administration of the Czech Republic the inspectors of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) controlled this consignment and found out that it was not possible to release it into circulation because the raisins were affected by moulds.