Kaufland in the hygiene shock: mice and mold in Duisburg's branches!

Kaufland in the hygiene shock: mice and mold in Duisburg's branches!

In Germany, the Kaufland branches are criticized due to serious hygiene defects. This is shown by a current report by "Stern TV", which revealed alarming conditions in 48 of 50 branches examined. In Duisburg, where two branches - one in Hochheide and one in Aldenrade - are affected, cases of mold, mouse droppings and unsuitable food were documented. While Kaufland has now taken measures to improve hygiene, the problem of mouse infestation remains in the Hochheide branch, where even a trap is visible in the fruit department. The city of Duisburg actively monitors the situation to ensure the hygienic standards. Reports from customers show a certain improvement, especially with regard to the refrigerated counters. Regular cleanup and basic cleaning of the refrigerated furniture was carried out according to the first measures. A customer confirmed that the appearance in the Hochheide branch has improved.

The Wallraff team and "Stern TV" have examined the hygiene conditions in Kaufland branches over several months. The terrifying results show that 80 % of the branches visited had mold on refrigerated shelves. Bernd Stumm, a food inspector, criticized the inadequate hygiene standards and the lack of cleaning of cooling. As a result, the regulatory offices in Homburg and the Saarland Ministry of the Environment were informed. An administrative offense procedure has been initiated because a “massive malnacle infestation” was found. Despite the problems, a Kaufland spokeswoman emphasizes that the quality and protection of customers have the highest priority.

hygiene protection and responsibility

Kaufland operates over 770 branches in Germany and generated sales of 34.2 billion euros in the 2023/24 financial year. Despite the financially strong position, health and hygiene protection is of the greatest importance for customers. Chicken meat samples were taken in ten of the examined branches, 15 of which were contaminated with antibiotic -resistant pathogens with campylobacters and 11 samples. Reinhild Benning from German Environmental Aid described these results as alarming and potentially health hazard. However, Kaufland attaches importance to the notification that no rehearsals were objected to by authorities.

In the light of these developments, the responsibility of food dealers shows that strict hygiene standards can be observed. All food companies, including Kaufland, are subject to EU hygiene law regulations that are intended to ensure that food is harmless at all levels of production and trade. These regulations, specified in the regulations (EC) No. 852/2004 and No. 853/2004, set стандарты for the training of staff in health risks and food hygiene. The goal is to ensure the perfect quality of food from the manufacturing process to sale to the consumer.