This report summarises results from UK Official Control testing. Authenticity testing was carried out on 390 samples including meat and meat products, herbs and spices, coffee, pasta, cheese, coconut oil and olive oil. Over 97% were reported as authentic and three were reported as inconclusive. Compositional analysis was carried out on 470 samples and 9% were reported as unsatisfactory in this respect by the Public Analysts. Composition checks on a total of 250 meat and meat products including pork sausages, ready meals (chicken, beef and lamb), tinned meat, beef burgers and raw frozen chicken showed 13% did not comply with requirements. Low meat content and for raw frozen chicken, undeclared / incorrectly declared added water, were the most common reasons for non-compliance. Lower levels of alcohol than declared on the label were found in 9% of the premixed cans of spirits /cocktails and 10 of olive oils tested did not meet appropriate compositional characteristics.
