This year is truly dismal when it comes to the quality of food sold in the big chain stores. They seem to have given up on any attempt to sell anything of quality and mainly bring here the cheapest, on which they then charge a very high margin. From this title, the Czech Republic has the unflattering nickname “the dustbin of Europe”. It is a well-known fact that anything can be sold here.
No sale
Most recently, the Kaufland retail chain was awarded, which was caught by the State Agricultural and Food Inspection while selling highly objectionable food that should never have reached store shelves. It is a Dried Apricots product from the Farmland brand.
“Small white moving pests were present on the inside of the packaging and on the fruit in all the inspected packages. The food smelled of fermentation,” stated SZPI in its press release. From a business point of view, it was enough to open one package and try it on. It would be immediately clear that something like this cannot be sold.
The product has a best before date of July 2, 2025, so it is quite possible that you still have it at home. It is sold in a package of 100 grams and the manufacturer is the company Apeka from Slovakia. Let us emphasize once again that the food was massively and widely attacked by pests. After all, it was obvious from the packaging.
Kaufland happily sold such food to customers. / Photo: Food on a pillion
People have to complain
As experts point out, retail chains are often guilty of this because customers simply don’t call. They often discover at home that they have bought, for example, moldy or rotten goods, but they can no longer go to the store to claim them.
According to experts, this is absolutely essential. If someone begins to advertise a certain food in large numbers, the chain can no longer simply sell it. At the same time, it is surprising that the Czechs do not do this because for them it is often an insignificant amount.
Also read: Lidl suddenly pulled all these products from stores. Czechs loved them, but they will never buy them again
In reality, however, these are huge sums. In the Czech Republic, 500 billion crowns worth of food is sold per year. According to economist Lukáš Kovanda, approximately 5% of this number is objectionable. In total, it is 25 billion crowns completely wasted.
Foto: Shutterstock
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Oh, gather ’round, ladies and gentlemen! Let’s dive into the culinary catastrophe that seems to have become the newest tourist attraction in the Czech Republic. If you’ve ever pondered whether you could find food that makes you question your life choices after a late-night kebab run… look no further!
### The Czech Republic: Europe’s Dustbin
Now, it seems our friends in the Czech Republic have inadvertently earned themselves a nickname that rivals the likes of “the land of a thousand castles”: “the dustbin of Europe.” A fair title, considering the quality of food lining their supermarket shelves is akin to an underwhelming reality show where the plot twist is, “Oops, there’s maggots in the dried apricots!” It’s the culinary version of a bad Tinder date— cheap, full of red flags, and likely to leave a sour taste in your mouth.
### The Kaufland Scandal: A Picky Thief’s Pack
Speaking of revolting revelations, let’s huddle around the Kaufland incident—the retail chain that seems to take quality control about as seriously as a cat takes a bath! What were they selling, you ask? Dried apricots that could have double-dutied as pet food… if your pets had a penchant for feasting on furry critters hiding inside the packaging. The State Agricultural and Food Inspection, or SZPI, didn’t just find a few bugs; they uncovered a moving assembly of pests! Picture that press release: “Food smells of fermentation”? Honey, that’s not a good sign—it’s a “call your mother” kind of emergency!
### Moldy Goods: The Great Czech Mystery
Imagine taking a stroll down the supermarket aisle, only to discover your favourite snack has embraced a new flavor of mold! Granted, not all heroes wear capes; some merely bring their rotten purchases back to the store. But this begs the question: Why do Czechs often choose to summon the courage of a thousand warriors to complain about a moldy carrot?
Experts suggest that retail chains often ride off into the sunset with their dubious deals simply because customers are reluctant to speak up. It’s bizarre, really! You might think they’d turn into raging critics—like Gordon Ramsay after finding a fly in his soup—but instead, they quietly stew at home, wishing their dinner had a bit more… um… integrity.
### The Shocking Numbers
Now, let’s get into the shocking figures! Brace yourselves: the Czech Republic, with its culinary escapades, apparently sells around 500 billion crowns worth of food each year. And here’s the kicker—around 5% of that is deemed objectionable! In layman’s terms, that adds up to a staggering 25 billion crowns of totally wasted grub. That’s a small fortune, folks! Enough to fund a local uprising against bad dried apricots—and let’s be real, we deserve better fruit!
### In Conclusion: Speak Up & Save Your Dough
So next time you stumble upon a product that’s more suitable for compost than for digestion, give the shop a call. Get those customer complaints rolling like tumbleweeds in a spaghetti western! After all, we’re talking serious money here—enough to transform those dreadful dried apricots into an exquisite culinary experience!
And remember, folks, life is too short to consume dusty snacks that could have been bullied in the supermarket. Fight back with your fork and your voice, and may your food choices be fresher than a morning breeze! Cheers!
This year has been particularly grim regarding the quality of food available in major chain stores across the Czech Republic. There appears to be a noticeable decline in standards, as retailers increasingly opt for the cheapest options, while still imposing exorbitant markups on their products. This unfortunate trend has led to the Czech Republic earning the inauspicious title of “the dustbin of Europe,” underscoring the dismal reality that virtually anything can find its way onto the market here.
No sale
Recently, Kaufland, one of the largest retail chains in the country, was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The State Agricultural and Food Inspection authorities discovered that the chain was selling food items of profoundly unacceptable quality. Specifically, they identified a product labeled as Dried Apricots from the Farmland brand, which raised serious health concerns.
“Small white moving pests were present on the inside of the packaging and on the fruit in all the inspected packages. The food smelled of fermentation,” stated SZPI in its press release. Such alarming findings indicate a grave oversight; it only required the opening of one package for any discerning consumer to recognize that these products should never have been offered for sale.
The manufacturer’s label, listing a best before date of July 2, 2025, raises further concerns—suggesting that some consumers may still possess these infested apricots in their homes. Packaged in 100-gram units, these dried fruits come from the Slovak company Apeka. The prevalence of pests was evident, as it was clearly visible upon inspection of the packaging.
People have to complain
Experts emphasize that retail chains bear significant responsibility for these issues, largely stemming from a lack of consumer complaints. Many shoppers only realize they’ve purchased moldy or spoiled goods after returning home, at which point they often feel it’s too late to address the problem with the store.
According to retail experts, voicing complaints is absolutely crucial to improving the situation. When a particular food product receives widespread negative feedback, supermarkets can no longer ignore the resulting public outcry and must take action. It is puzzling, however, that many Czechs refrain from raising concerns over substandard goods, possibly viewing the financial losses as too trivial to warrant a complaint.
In reality, however, these seemingly small issues translate to significant financial implications. Approximately 500 billion crowns worth of food is sold annually in the Czech Republic, with economist Lukáš Kovanda estimating that around 5% of this total consists of objectionable products. This alarming statistic points to an annual wastage of an astonishing 25 billion crowns, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced food safety and quality standards.
Foto: Shutterstock
What are the health risks associated with purchasing infested food products in Czech retail chains?
### An Interview with Consumer Advocate Jana Novak on Food Quality in the Czech Republic
**Editor**: Today, we’re joined by Jana Novak, a consumer advocate and food safety expert, to discuss the recent alarming findings regarding food quality in Czech retail chains, particularly the Kaufland incident with their dried apricots. Thank you for being here, Jana.
**Jana Novak**: Thank you for having me. It’s important to shed light on these issues.
**Editor**: Let’s dive right in. The recent report from the State Agricultural and Food Inspection revealed that Kaufland was selling dried apricots infested with pests. How severe is this situation?
**Jana Novak**: This is a very serious issue. The presence of pests not only indicates poor quality control but also poses health risks to consumers. When you find insects in food, it’s a clear sign that the product wasn’t handled or stored properly. It reflects a major lapse in safety protocols within the store.
**Editor**: Many have called the Czech Republic “the dustbin of Europe” regarding food quality. Do you think such descriptions are warranted?
**Jana Novak**: Unfortunately, yes. Retailers often prioritize low costs over quality, leading to subpar products reaching consumers. This nickname reflects a broader issue of food safety and consumer protection in the country. We deserve better standards.
**Editor**: What do you think is causing this trend of declining food quality in supermarkets?
**Jana Novak**: It’s primarily a combination of profit-driven practices where retailers focus on purchasing the cheapest goods available and a lack of accountability. Customers need to speak up more when they encounter spoiled or low-quality products, but many people don’t feel empowered to complain.
**Editor**: Speaking of accountability, how important is it for consumers to report these issues?
**Jana Novak**: It’s crucial! When consumers report problems, it creates pressure on retailers to improve their standards. If complaints rise, chains can’t simply brush them off. The more we advocate for our own food safety, the more likely we are to see meaningful changes.
**Editor**: Are you seeing any changes in consumer behavior regarding food quality and complaints?
**Jana Novak**: Slowly, yes. There are pockets of consumers who are starting to demand better quality and hold retailers accountable. However, it’s a cultural shift that needs to be reinforced. People need to realize that refusing to accept poor quality is essential for driving change.
**Editor**: What steps can consumers take to protect themselves when shopping in supermarkets?
**Jana Novak**: Always check packages for signs of damage, pests, or outdated information. If you encounter anything concerning, report it to the store and consider posting about it on social media. Awareness can go a long way.
**Editor**: with an estimated 25 billion crowns worth of objectionable food sold in the Czech Republic each year, what message do you want to send to consumers?
**Jana Novak**: Be vigilant and proactive! Your voice matters. Demand better from your retailers and don’t accept substandard food. We have the power to change the food landscape in the Czech Republic, so let’s use it!
**Editor**: Thank you, Jana, for your insights on this critical issue. We hope to see improvements in food quality soon!
**Jana Novak**: Thank you for having me! Let’s keep pushing for better standards together.
