Balearics import food checks uncover 53 breaches

Food checks on imports from outside the European Union have uncovered 53 breaches in the Balearic Islands this year, with ten formal cases opened. The Balearic Islands Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment examined 22 products from 15 countries, including South Africa, Brazil, Peru, China and Mexico.

The products included fruit and vegetable goods, tinned vegetables, dried fruit, wines, spirits, a non-alcoholic drink and a snack. The findings were reported in Palma on 26 August.

Labels account for most breaches

Labelling was behind 49 of the 53 breaches. Two concerned product composition and another two related to traceability.

Dried fruit drew the highest number of labelling findings, with 22. Fruit and vegetable products followed with 17.

No banned pesticides found

Inspectors found no banned pesticides in the checks. They carried out 4,004 determinations: 1,566 on fruit and vegetable products, 1,233 on tinned vegetables, 972 on dried fruit and 233 on snacks.

The ministry has stepped up this line of checks over the past three years. Agriculture minister Joan Simonet said food sold in the islands must meet the rules so Balearic producers can compete on equal terms. Joan Llabrés, director general for agri-food quality and local products, said the work would continue to intensify so the same standards apply regardless of where a product comes from.

Topics: Agriculture · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com