A recent report from the State General Laboratory has brought to light concerns about the authenticity and safety of various food products in Cyprus, raising questions about the quality of meat, fish, and other consumables.
According to the laboratory’s findings, consumers may not be fully aware of the type of meat they are consuming, as a small concentration of different meat types was discovered in 8% of the meat samples tested.
This discrepancy was attributed to possible contamination during the production process.
Furthermore, examinations revealed a notable increase in the percentage of non-compliant samples for colouring substances, raising doubts about the accuracy of food labelling.
In 2022, out of the 51 fish-related samples examined, 18% were found to contain a different type of fish than what was stated on the packaging.
The study extended its focus to conservatories, revealing the presence of preservatives in certain samples.
This highlights concerns about the safety of commonly consumed items such as jams and desserts.
The State Laboratory’s examination also shed light on the rise in non-compliant samples for preservatives, specifically benzoic and sorbic acid.
Approximately 42.4% of the non-compliant samples in 2022 contained preservatives, including products like jams and desserts.
The report indicates a substantial increase in the percentage of non-compliant samples for food preservatives compared to previous years, signalling a need for intensified control measures.
Moreover, the study raised concerns about imported food products, revealing that 50% of non-compliant samples were identified through the annual National Food Control Program, while the remaining 50% were discovered during the importation process. Samples taken during importation were withheld from circulation until analyses were completed.
The State General Laboratory emphasized the effectiveness of current control measures but stressed the necessity for continued and intensified monitoring to ensure food safety and authenticity.
For more detailed information, the full report is available on the official website of the Cyprus Consumer Protection Service (www.consumer.gov.cy).
