2024-03-24 01:33:20
The sweeping controls at retail points and super markets, but also at entry gates into the country, i.e. ports and borders, are being continued and intensified by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
As a result of the controls, fines have been imposed on twelve companies, while another 300 have been given recommendations, before the fines are imposed. Also within March, fines totaling 267,286 euros are expected to be handed out to 16 more companies active in the dairy sector. These violations concern milk balances, other than PDO products, and lead to sanctions directly from the FSA without requiring a primary or secondary Commission opinion.
Until now, the checks are focused on milk and the PDO products produced from it, but also on the labels of the products, i.e. if the content is in line with what is written and if the labeling they have, meets the national and EU legislation. Product samples are taken and sent for examination to the laboratories of the State General Chemistry and ELGO – DIMITRA, depending on the type of examination that needs to be done.
Depending on the findings – if and when they arise – they are forwarded to EFET and ELGO – DIMITRA in order to proceed with the process of imposing sanctions. Violators are informed and then and from the adjudication of the objection they are entitled to – that is, once the decision is final – the fine is imposed and the violator is notified.
Also, in addition to the sampling in the context of the extraordinary controls, again from mixed levels, on-site balance checks are carried out in the dairy industries. From January 18 to March 3, at the retail points in Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Patras, Volos, Ioannina, 84 checks have been carried out, from which 175 samples have been sent for analysis, of which 103 have been sent for laboratory analysis to the Greek Ministry of Health and 72 to laboratories of ELGO DIMITRAS. Out of the 103 samples that have been sent to the GHK, 86 pertain to feta, of which the analyzes have been completed on 57. No findings were found in 55, while one is adulterated with cow’s milk and in one more it was found to have more moisture than expected.
As far as labeling is concerned, EFET examines 267 samples of which 249 are of various dairy products. So far, the examination of 79 samples has been completed and 45 identified non-compliances have been reported, which relate to non-indication of the origin of milk, the details of the producer, the country of origin, the indications on the packages as well as the incorrect labeling of PDO products.
In the port of Igoumenitsa, 75 inspections have been carried out, all on drums transporting milk products, in the port of Patras 35 inspections (16 on drums of milk products and 19 on loads of cheese) and in Promahonas three inspections, all on drums with milk products. Three checks have been carried out in the dairy factories for on-site balance checks (Alexandroupoli, Kilkis, Tripoli) and within the week on-site checks have been planned in two more dairy factories.
Corresponding controls have also been carried out in fresh fruit and vegetables, of which 52 in Ioannina. Thorough checks have led to the withdrawal of potatoes from Athens and Thessaloniki (green). Cases of Greekization of Kiwis from Iran are also being further investigated and heard. In addition, one case of non-compliance was found regarding the labeling of the country of origin on potatoes.
The training program for emergency checks from the mixed levels is also in the final stage and it is expected that in the next few days checks will start, in olive oil, meat and honey. In particular, in fruit and vegetables, checks concern apples and potatoes, while checks have begun on oranges and tangerines and are continuing on kiwis.