UOKiK Imposes Fines Totaling PLN 70.8 Million on Biedronka and Kaufland for Incorrect Labeling of Fruits and Vegetables

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has imposed severe financial penalties on two of Poland's largest retail chains. Biedronka must pay 63 million zloty, and Kaufland – 7.8 million zloty for irregularities in food product labeling. The decisions by UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny became final after an administrative court dismissed appeals from both companies. The proceedings followed extensive inspections which revealed recurring errors that could mislead customers about the origin of goods. Labeling of product origin, especially for food, is regulated by both EU and national legislation, including the Act on Commercial Quality of Agricultural and Food Products. Their aim is to provide consumers with transparent and reliable information, which is particularly important in the context of supporting local producers and informed purchasing decisions. The Trade Inspection, acting on behalf of UOKiK, inspected thousands of stores in 2023-2024. Irregularities mainly concerned fresh fruits and vegetables. A common error was placing "Country of origin: Poland" on packaging or shelves for imported products, e.g., from Spain, Morocco, or Egypt. In other cases, the mandatory country of origin information was omitted entirely. The President of UOKiK emphasized that such practices violated the collective interests of consumers. „Sieć musi ponieść odpowiedzialność za naruszenia. Klienci mają prawo do rzetelnej informacji, zwłaszcza gdy za produkt z Polski są skłonni zapłacić więcej.” (The chain must bear responsibility for violations. Customers have the right to reliable information, especially when they are willing to pay more for a product from Poland.) — President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) After administrative proceedings were initiated, both chains were obliged to immediately rectify the irregularities. UOKiK data indicates that remedial actions produced tangible results. While at the beginning of inspections, incorrect labeling affected even 30-40 percent of checked products, in the final phase of inspections this rate dropped to 2-5 percent. 70.8 mln zł — Total amount of fines imposed The Office therefore treats the fines not only as a punitive measure but also as an instrument effectively forcing an improvement in standards. Labeling Inspection Results Before and After UOKiK Intervention: Rate of incorrect labeling: 30-40% → 2-5%; Fine amount for Biedronka: 0 zł → 63 mln zł; Fine amount for Kaufland: 0 zł → 7,8 mln zł Representatives of the fined chains commented on the decision. Kaufland stated in its announcement that it had adjusted its labeling to legal requirements and operates fully in accordance with UOKiK guidelines. Biedronka, responding to media inquiries, reiterated its earlier position, indicating it had taken all necessary remedial actions and filed an appeal against the Office's decision. It is worth emphasizing that the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection consistently conducts inspections in the food sector, focusing on the reliability of information provided to consumers. UOKiK, as the national competition and consumer protection authority, operates under the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection and a series of implementing acts. Its powers include imposing financial penalties on entrepreneurs for practices violating the collective interests of consumers, which is a key preventive and punitive instrument in combating unfair market practices. In the EU context, the obligation for precise country-of-origin labeling is reinforced by the policy of supporting local producers and short supply chains. Incorrect labeling not only misleads the consumer but also constitutes unfair competition against Polish farmers and suppliers who bear higher production costs. The UOKiK decision thus fits into a broader trend of tightening enforcement of consumer and food regulations across the European Union.

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize the importance of transparency and protecting consumers from large corporations, treating the UOKiK decision as an example of effective state intervention. Conservative media may point to excessive regulator interference in the market and high costs for entrepreneurs, which may ultimately burden customers.