Jul 28, 2026

Nearly One in Five Prague Farmers' Market Vendors Fail Veterinary Inspections

Prague Morning

Nearly one in five vendors inspected at Prague’s farmers’ markets during the first half of 2026 were found to have breached food safety or labeling regulations, according to the State Veterinary Administration (SVS).

Between January and June, veterinary inspectors checked 53 vendors across Prague and identified violations in 10 cases, representing almost 19 percent of all inspections.

Nationwide, inspectors carried out 165 inspections, with irregularities detected in 27 cases, or roughly 16 percent.

Officials said the most common problems in Prague involved improper storage temperatures for food of animal origin, incorrect or incomplete product labeling, and inadequate protection of food from contamination during sale.

Inspectors also highlighted several cases they considered particularly serious. In one instance, a vendor was found producing meat products without the legally required authorization while packaging them with the identification mark of a production facility that no longer exists. Authorities said such practices can mislead consumers about where products originate.

The SVS warned that food safety risks increase during the summer months, especially at outdoor markets where high temperatures make it more difficult to maintain proper cooling conditions.

Across the Czech Republic, labeling violations were the most frequently recorded offense this year, accounting for 26 cases. Problems related to hygiene and production practices—including incorrect storage temperatures and insufficient protection against contamination—followed with 22 cases.

Inspectors also documented 18 violations involving improper handling of food products and 12 cases where the origin of goods was unclear or could not be verified.

The SVS noted that a single inspection may uncover multiple breaches. While inspectors found violations in 27 inspections nationwide, the total number of individual offenses reached 82.

Inspection results remained largely unchanged compared with the same period last year. During the first six months of 2025, inspectors also carried out 165 inspections, finding violations in 16 percent of them. The main difference was that hygiene-related shortcomings topped the list last year, while labeling issues have become the most common problem in 2026.

Looking at the full year, the SVS carried out 380 market inspections across the Czech Republic in 2025, compared with 372 inspections in 2024. The proportion of inspections uncovering violations rose slightly from 17 percent to 18 percent.