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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIAI) is strongly urging operators not to underestimate ongoing maintenance of establishments and compliance with hygiene regulations. Results of CAFIA inspections carried out in January 2022 show that inspectors had to close a total of 21 establishments on the spot because of serious violations of hygiene regulations. This is the highest number of closed establishments in a given month in the last 5 years. In the same period in 2021, inspectors closed 6 establishments, in January 2020 it was 15 establishments, the previous year 2019 it was 10 establishments, and in January 2018 it was 13 establishments.

The current findings cover a wide range of establishments - restaurants, pubs, patisseries, fast foods, large chain stores, retails, food producers, etc.

Inspectors impose a ban on the use of premises when the condition of the establishment as detected by the inspection does not allow to guarantee safety of foodstuffs or meals and there is a risk to the health of consumers.

By far the most frequent reason for the closure of establishments this year is the failure to prevent pests, especially rodents. Inspections of stores or background have found the presence of mouse droppings, food damaged by mouse gnawing and, in some cases, dead or live mice. Among the basic - and neglected by many of those inspected - duties is the regular checking of extermination monitoring stations, which can detect presence of pests in an establishment before a massive problem spreads. Presence of pests and their excrements at the premises poses a serious risk to consumers, inter alia, because the contamination can occur even in foodstuffs on which no traces of pest activity are visible.

Other common offences include long-term neglected cleaning - dirty floors and shelves, mould at the premises or even in refrigeration facilities, storage of items unrelated to the sale of food, unmanaged waste removal and other shortcomings.

If unacceptable hygiene conditions are found in the establishment, inspectors impose an on-the-spot ban on the use of the premises. They also order the operator to remedy the deficiencies found, e.g. to carry out pest control. During a re-inspection, the inspectors assess whether the operator has put the establishment into compliance with the requirements of legislation and they lift the ban. Administrative proceedings are then initiated to impose a fine.

To see the overview of the closed establishments including the detected deficiencies and photo documentation, check the Food Pillory website and its section Closed establishments.

Article by: Mgr. Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633   

3^rd February 2022