Results of the inspection activitiy carried out by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) and focused on the quality of olive oils sold in the CR showed that a half of the assessed samples was non-compliant. The olive oils labelled  as “extra virgin” did not correspond to this category – in fact they were lower grade oils or had incorrect information on the labelling. One of the evaluated samples even fell under the category “lampante oil”, which must not be offered as a foodstuff.

The inspectors took a total of 20 samples of olive oils originating in different countries and available on the domestic market to perform an analysis. The aim of this CAFIA activity was to check whether extra virgin and virgin olive oils meet physical, chemical and sensory parameters laid down by Commission Regulation (EEC) 2568/91 and requirements of other regulations.

The analyses carried out by CAFIA in the accredited Laboratory of Olive Oil Tasting in Slovenia and in its own accredited laboratory confirmed that 5 samples were not “extra virgin” oils, as the producers stated on the labelling, but lower quality oils. Domestic consumers were thus misled by the false information on the labelling. The inspectors further found deficiencies in the labelling of 5 others oil samples.

CAFIA released an overview of all compliant and non-compliant samples on its website Food Pillory in the section Thematic inspections.

The results of inspections over several years show that olive oils imported into the Czech Republic often do not correspond to the declared category in terms of their characteristics and imply that importers underestimate the ability of supervisory bodies in the Czech Republic to assess the quality of olive oils. Although the Czech Republic is not a producing country of this type of foodstuffs, the level of inspections of olive oils in the country is carried out in accordance with the standards laid down by European legislation using accredited laboratories both at home and abroad.

CAFIA will continue to monitor the quality and safety of olive oils with the same intensity next year. CAFIA will also inform supervisory bodies in relevant countries of the non-compliant samples.

CAFIA ordered the sellers to withdraw the non-compliant lots from the market and will initiate an administrative procedure to impose fines.

Article by: Mgr. Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633