The Minister of Development, Kostas Skrekas, referred in his speech on the government’s programmatic statements to the sweeping checks that have started this morning, in mass catering establishments, to protect Greek PDO products.

“These controls prove our political will to protect Greek production” stressed Mr. Skrekas.

“We, the misleading of consumers who offer them as PDO products that are not, we will stop this. As of today, sweeping and combined checks have begun in mass catering stores and hotels with basic priority products, the control of PDO slice and oil,” said Mr. Skrekas, referring to the first morning’s findings:

– A hotel in the center of Athens illegally supplies oil in bulk, in refillable bottles. A fine of 500 euros.

– A restaurant in the center of Athens had a slice of Parnassus when it wasn’t. Misleading the consumer. A fine of 3,000 euros.

– Hotel in Kyparissia had bulk oil in the breakfast. A fine of 500 euros.

– A restaurant in Kyparissia had oil in bulk. A fine of 500 euros.

As Mr. Skrekas said, two more finds have been found, and everything will be announced. “We implement and do what we say. Finally, we have to protect Greek products” he stated emphatically.

Regarding the issue of accuracy, Mr. Skrekas said that despite the reduction in general inflation, inflation unfortunately continues to persist in food. “And that’s why we will continue with even more intensive controls throughout the supply chain. Not only in the final retail outlets. Not just at the supermarket. But also to their supplier and the producer. In such a way, that eventually inflation will slowly deescalate. We will prevent profiteering, which may exist, but we will not allow this from now on,” said Mr. Skrekas.