In the mentioned period from January 1st till April 30, 2010, in total 168 controls were performed at public alimentation workplaces and infringements were detected at 78 operators’, i.e. 46,8%. In some cases, these controls were performed in cooperation with the Police of the Czech Republic, Trade Licensing Offices, Alien Police and hygiene service offices.

Operators most frequently infringed applicable laws by not providing the declared measure of drinks portions or meals; also at 24 workplaces measuring tools were used without valid certification. In 17 cases sellers did not inform the consumer on price of offered products and totally 12 workplaces were not identified in the required way. Amongst other detected deficiencies and infringements were cases when sellers billed bought products incorrectly, they sold pieces of cigarettes from an open unit packaging and in 1 case, hospitality services were operated without any valid trade licence. 

The above mentioned deficiencies are in 23 cases subject to administrative proceedings. In 55 cases, fines were issued at the inspection locations in the total amount of 63,000 CZK and in one case the infringed deficiency was transferred to further processing to the locally appropriate Trade Licensing Office.

“When we compare the results of these controls with the results of the same period of 2009, when 192 controls were performed (out of which 97 were defective, i.e. 64,2%), we can state that in the field of public alimentation services provision there is a slight improvement at the sellers’ side this year. But the percentage of detected deficiencies is still alarming. This is why controls in this field will continue also in the following period,” said RNDr. Jana Příhodová, the Director General of the Czech Trade Inspection.