Inspectors of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) found a shipment of chilli peppers in which laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of eight pesticide substances above the permitted limit including strong insecticide carbofuran, which was prohibited by the EU in 2008 for its undesirable effects. The inspection was performed in cooperation with the Prague-Ruzyně Customs Office. The weight of the non-compliant lot exceeded 177 kg.

Foodstuff RED CHILLI, Lot Nr.: NC250922, importer: N&C Asian s.r.o., Baarova 66/13, Prague 140 00, Czech Republic, contry of origin: Cambodia was concerned.

Analysis in an accredited laboratory proved presence of following pesticide residues in the foodstuff in question: carbaryl amounting to 0.24 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) (limit: 0.01 mg/kg), carbofuran amounting to 0.011 mg/kg (limit: 0.002), chlorfenapyr amounting to 0.051 mg/kg (limit: 0.01 mg/kg), diazinon amounting to 0.14 mg/kg (limit: 0.05 kg/kg), ethion amounting to 0.27 mg/kg (limit: 0.01 mg/kg), fipronil amounting to 0.66 mg/kg (limit: 0.005 mg/kg), propiconazole  amounting to 0.22 mg/kg (limit: 0.01 mg/kg), triforine amounting to 0.33 mg/kg (limit: 0.01 mg/kg).

CAFIA inspectors ordered the inspected person to immediately inform its customers of the non-compliant lot, check their current stock of the non-compliant foodstuff and, if necessary, ensure its withdrawal from the market.

CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure on imposition of a fine with the inspected person.

CAFIA informed of similar detections in its press releases of 18. 5. 2022 and 21. 3. 2022.

Author: Bc. Marek Bartík