- The Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection inspected the quality of confectionery products at the beginning of the year.
- Of the 44 establishments inspected, irregularities were found in 13 of them.
- The irregularities mainly concerned incorrect product labelling and a lack of correspondence between the declared values and the actual composition of the products.
IJHARS confectionery inspection results
The IJHARS (Inspection for Commercial Quality of Agricultural and Food Products) in the first quarter of 2024 assessed the commercial quality of confectionery products in terms of compliance with the requirements and applicable regulations. In particular, filled chocolates and containing cakes and other chocolate products were inspected. The products of 44 production facilities were assessed, with irregularities found in the case of 13 companies. There were no shortcomings in terms of the organoleptic characteristics of the products, but there were irregularities in terms of labelling and deviations in the composition of the products in relation to the declared values. Eight establishments were ordered to submit articles to correct labelling, while fines were imposed on the other five companies.
What were the irregularities identified?
An example of a labelling deviation was inappropriate nutritional values indicated on the packaging in relation to the parameters specified in the product test. Overstated sugar content, over- or understated fat content and overstated milk solids content were found. In some cases, the composition did not indicate all the ingredients used to make the product, e.g. cocoa fat was omitted, or ingredients that were not found in the product (e.g. spices) were listed. It was also an error not to indicate the main ingredient of the product in percentage form. In addition, misleading claims were found on packaging, e.g. regarding the geographical origin of the ingredients used or the use of a declaration of their natural origin, while sugar and emulsifiers were included in the composition. Other irregularities included an unjustified extension of the minimum durability date and lack of information on storage conditions or product composition.
