Internet publication of hygiene deficiencies - In BAV Newsletter 01/2011

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Jun 13, 2017 - hygiene

Internet publication of hygiene deficiencies - In BAV Newsletter 01/2011

Currently, there is a lot of discussion about the introduction of a so-called "Smiley" label to inform consumers about the hygiene status of establishments. The Berlin district of Pankow has already started publishing the hygiene status of the inspected establishments.

This is based on the Consumer Information Act. According to this act, food law violations, such as identified hygiene deficiencies, can be published on the internet regardless of their severity. This can also occur directly by the authority without a consumer request. As decided by the Saarland Administrative Court, in this case, the interest of consumers outweighs the confidentiality request of the affected entrepreneur.

Conclusion: Even without an existing "Smiley" regulation, information about concerning hygiene conditions can already be made public!

Dr. Christian Kaiser
BAV Institut

Dipl. Food Engineer Customer Service, Head of Field Service, Assessment and Release of Results
christian.kaiser@bav-institut.de