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Products in Croatia costlier and poorer quality than in Germany, says Croatian MEP

Author: Snježana Pezer

ZAGREB, Sept 1 (Hina) - An analysis of the quality of 26 products that can be found on the Croatian and German markets has shown that more than half of those products on the Croatian market are of poorer quality and significantly more expensive than in Germany, Croatian MEP Biljana Borzan said on Friday.

The survey conducted in cooperation with the Croatian Food Agency in several accredited laboratories in the country showed that only 4 of the 26 products tested (15%) did not differ in quality or price.

A difference in quality was identified in 54% of the products while more than 60% of the products were more expensive in Croatia.

Two production lines in the same factory

The greatest differences were identified in food products and one detergent. Some of the products were produced in the same factory, which means that there are two production lines in them, Borzan said.

Wudy sausages on the Croatian market for instance use mechanically separated meat and contain polyphosphate additives and are different in colour, taste and texture from the German product, where fresh meat is used. Their price in Croatia is 37% lower.

Hipp baby food tested in Croatia, a rice and carrot with turkey variety, showed that the product in Croatia contained significantly less vegetables and a much greater quantity of rice and that it contained less beet oil which is a valuable source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are important for children's development.

Despite these differences, the products carried the same labels on both markets and in Croatia they were generally 54% more expensive than in Germany.

Nutella in Croatia contains whey

A significant difference was identified in Nutella, with whey being used in the Croatian product, whereas the same product in Germany was made exclusively with skimmed milk and it was 28% more expensive in Croatia.

Fruit yogurt in Croatia contains less fruit and more sugar, the analysis shows.

There was a significant difference identified in Ariel washing detergent too, with the German product being much more effective at lower temperatures and it was 25% cheaper in Germany.

The testing showed that there was very little difference between Heineken beer and Coca Cola despite the fact that they were produced by different manufacturers.

Four products proved to be the same in quality and price - Happy Day 100% orange juice, Red Bull, Barilla spaghetti and Lenor fabric softener. Some products were equal in quality but much pricier in Croatia such as Pringles Original Chips, 110% more expensive than in Germany. Colgate toothpaste was 75% more expensive in Croatia and Rio Mare tuna products were 46% cheaper in Germany.

Sweets are better in Croatia

One product was of better quality in Croatia than Germany, Haribo Happy Cola sweets, which had more sugar content in the German variety but they too were 39% more expensive in Croatia.

"Croatian citizens are in an unfavourable position, like most citizens in new EU member states that are mostly Eastern European countries. It is obvious that that problem exists everywhere and that national governments are not handling this well and that is why it is important to raise the problem to the European level," Borzan said and added that despite the fact that EU agreements guarantee equality, it seems that all European citizens aren't treated equally.

The aim is to change legislation to identify unfair trade practice and so all citizens on a single European market are treated the same.

Pepsi Cola has changed its policy

She added that when some companies like Pepsi Cola saw the results of the analysis, which was conducted in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, they changed their business policies and started producing the same quality product for all of the EU because they realised that that was better than having a negative campaign against them.

"I hope that other companies follow that example but for those who don't, we will change the law and make them do so," she said.

She added that the problem won't be solved overnight but that a step in the direction has been made as the matter has been raised in the European Parliament and Council. A meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection is scheduled for 27 September to discuss this problem.

(Hina) sp

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