IJHARS finds irregularities in Polish grain products

The Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) has identified numerous irregularities during a nationwide inspection of grain products, including flour, groats, flakes, and rice in Poland. Out of 88 inspected entities, including producers, wholesalers, importers, and retailers, 27 (30.7%) were found to have non-compliant practices.

Key findings included the presence of pests in 2.4% of inspected batches, leading to orders for product destruction. Additionally, 13.3% of batches exhibited incorrect physicochemical parameters, such as discrepancies in nutritional content (fiber, protein, fat), ash content, and excessive moisture levels.

Labeling errors were the most frequent issue, affecting 18.9% of batches. These violations involved incorrect product names, improper allergen information, misleading flour types, and inconsistencies between packaging and online descriptions. The inspection also flagged misleading marketing claims, such as 'without preservatives' or 'without chemicals,' even when such substances are not permitted in those specific grain products.