The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) has taken the decision to withdraw over 11 tons of Brazilian chicken from the Czech market due to contamination with salmonella. The affected products include frozen chicken breasts and chicken breast schnitzels, typically packaged in two-kilogram quantities. These batches were primarily intended for use in catering facilities and the Makro wholesale network. SVS spokesperson Petr Vorlíček confirmed this action.

The veterinary administration discovered salmonella contamination in a sample of chicken breasts at the SOFIL company warehouse in Prague 6. The primary importer to the Czech Republic and a major meat distributor, MADE, was supplied by a trading company based in the Netherlands. The Makro retail chain also distributed a significant portion of the contaminated meat. Distributors are now actively contacting buyers to facilitate the return of the affected products. In total, over 10 tons of compromised meat are under scrutiny.

Another sample of defective products, chicken breast schnitzels, was collected at the Polar Trading warehouse in Kostelec nad Černými lesy. This batch containing salmonella was identified as part of a larger consignment. According to SVS, the primary consumers of chicken meat from this company are restaurants and canteens. A total of 1.3 tons of this product has been seized.

This incident follows previous inspections in September when the State Agricultural and Food Inspection (SZPI) detected salmonella in chicken meat from Ukraine at Olomouc’s Penny Market. The meat had been processed in Slovakia. SZPI also found salmonella in chicken meat from the same producer, WE Trade, at Tesco.

In July, SZPI issued alerts about two batches of chicken without giblets from Ukraine that tested positive for salmonella. These batches were found in JIP stores in České Budějovice and Harrachov.

The withdrawal of the Brazilian chicken from the Czech market underscores the critical importance of food safety measures and inspections to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with contaminated products.

Article by Prague Forum