In a recent development, additional poultry imported into the Czech Republic from Hungary has been identified as carrying bacteria responsible for salmonellosis, a concerning revelation made by the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority. The affected products, frozen goose breasts and duck, were discovered through samples collected by inspectors at Kaufland and Albert stores.

Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of pathogenic serotypes of Salmonella Agona and Salmonella Newport in the identified batch of poultry. Pavel Kopřiva, a spokesperson for the inspection authority, communicated this information through a press release. In response to the findings, the inspection authority will initiate administrative proceedings to impose fines on the sellers responsible for these contaminated food products.

The implicated meat, sold under the label Valdor Duck without giblets in Albert stores, was characterized as cooked, chilled, and of class-A quality. Despite the use-by date extending only until October 21 of the previous year, consumers may have stored the meat in their freezers at home. The laboratory also confirmed the presence of the Salmonella Anatum bacterial serotype in this particular product.

In light of these findings, the inspection authority strongly advises consumers against consuming the implicated meat to mitigate health risks. Furthermore, the authority has entered the information into the European Rapid Alert System for Food (RASFF), enabling investigation into the case’s origin country.

This recent discovery adds to a series of findings involving poultry meat contaminated with bacteria traced back to Hungary or Ukraine in recent weeks and months. The repeated instances raise concerns about the efficacy of safety measures and underscore the imperative for more stringent checks on imported food products to safeguard public health in the Czech Republic. Authorities are likely to face increased pressure to reinforce food safety protocols and enhance surveillance mechanisms to prevent the entry of contaminated products into the market.

Article by Prague Forum