Serious lack of hygiene
Food scandal in southern Hesse: four infections, one death
Four people in southern Hesse became infected with listeriosis from cucumber slices contaminated with germs (symbolic photo)
© GAETAN BALLY / Picture Alliance
Serious hygiene deficiencies have been discovered in a fruit and vegetable business in Hesse. The food from the company is said to be responsible for several infections and one death.
In Hesse, four people contracted listeriosis from food contaminated with germs, and one of them died as a result of the infection. The bacteria that cause the disease are mainly transmitted through contaminated food. A fruit and vegetable company in southern Hesse, where serious hygiene deficiencies were found, is said to be responsible for the current cases.
Report uncovers food scandal
The “Welt am Sonntag” reported on the food scandal. Among other things, cucumber slices were delivered from the company to a hospital, which were then served to patients as part of salads. Two of the infected were in the clinic during the period. In addition, investigations by federal and state authorities have shown a genetic match between germs from production and the bacteria found in sick people.
A report by the Hessian task force for food safety, which is available to “Welt am Sonntag”, revealed shocking conditions in the company. There is talk of standing puddles, rat droppings and mold in production, a lack of cleaning plans and too few internal controls. In addition, structural defects such as the lack of hygiene locks and inadequate water drainage were found. The task force concluded “that the production of safe food in the condition found was not possible”.
Staff shortages in food offices
Actually, one or two food inspections a year are required. But the operation in southern Hesse had not been checked at all in the past two years, as the responsible veterinary office in Groß-Gerau said when asked by “World” admits. Overall, companies that are associated with a higher health risk for consumers were checked significantly less during Corona. In January 2021, only 45 percent of the prescribed inspections were carried out.
It is estimated that around 1,500 food inspectors are missing nationwide
© Erik van’t Woud / Picture Alliance
The already scarce staff had been turned off for other tasks, such as contact tracing. The shortage of skilled workers in the food offices is a nationwide problem. The Federal Association of Food Inspectors estimates that there is currently a shortage of up to 1,500 inspectors in Germany. About every third check fails. The district of Groß-Gerau nevertheless assumed that the safety of the food was not at risk. We regret “deeply” that there was “a control gap that could endanger people’s health and lives”.
The deputy leader of the Union parliamentary group, Steffen Bilger, responsible for consumer protection, demanded: “Food controls must always have top priority, and that also applies to the time of the Corona crisis.” The company in southern Hesse had to stop production in mid-February. The public prosecutor’s office in Darmstadt is now investigating against the company.
Source: “The world“