Polish Authority Cracks Down on Mislabeling of Fruits and Vegetables
The Polish competition authority has taken significant action against misleading country of origin labeling for fruits and vegetables, resulting in substantial fines for major retailers.
05.03.2026 | Polish competition authority
The Polish competition authority, UOKiK, has addressed consumer complaints regarding incorrect labeling of the country of origin for fruits and vegetables. Following these complaints, UOKiK initiated investigations in 2020 against Jeronimo Martins Polska (owner of Biedronka stores) and Kaufland Polska Markety.
Inspections revealed that misleading information was prevalent, with discrepancies found in 27.8% of Biedronka stores and 38% of Kaufland stores. As a result, UOKiK imposed fines of over 60 million PLN on Jeronimo Martins and 13.2 million PLN on Kaufland, both of which were upheld by the courts.
Subsequent inspections in late 2025 showed a significant improvement, with the rate of mislabeling dropping to nearly zero. UOKiK emphasized the importance of accurate product information as a fundamental consumer right.
In 2019, UOKiK had already begun monitoring labeling practices due to numerous consumer complaints, leading to further inspections across various retail chains. The findings indicated that nearly one-third of inspected stores had labeling issues.
As of February 17, 2026, new regulations will require fruits and vegetables to be marked with the flag of their country of origin, enhancing transparency for consumers.
