Frustration-free melon season? - NATCP checks watermelons during the summer

Watermelon, the hit fruit of the summer season, will not go unnoticed this year. The National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) and experts from government agencies are checking the quality of watermelons and the markings on their packaging as well as in the shops. Particular attention is paid to the detection of false or misleading origin information. The priority is to ensure that consumers get what the label promises: fresh, local and high quality melons.

Warm days bring seasonal fruits, and so it is with watermelon, which has continued to be popular in recent years. Consumers' access to watermelons of the right quality is therefore of utmost importance.

The NATCP and the government agencies under its professional control are carrying out checks on the quality, marking and traceability of watermelons, in particular to detect any batches marketed with false origin information. During the checks, the watermelons must meet strict technical criteria, and the inspectors check, among other things, that they are clean, free of cracks, ripe, free of defects and that they are graded in the correct quality class.

The control covers both wholesale distributors, such as wholesale markets, and retail outlets, including temporary roadside stands. Especially these outlets require increased attention in terms of hygiene conditions. In all cases, hand-washing facilities must be provided and sellers are advised to use rubber gloves or foil gloves when cutting up or chopping up products to ensure good hygiene.

One of the main objectives of the inspection is to ensure the traceability of the products, in particular as watermelons may be misleadingly marked as to their country of origin. It is important to ensure that customers get the right quality fruit.

If a quality or labelling defect is detected, the NATCP and the experts from the government agencies can prohibit the marketing of the product and impose fines. The authority will continue to keep a close eye on the reliable quality of fruit and vegetables to protect consumers' interests.