Essen: Popular bakery closed due to hygiene deficiencies

Moldy walls and bugs in the shop: A bakery in Essen had to close immediately after an inspection. What the inspectors discovered is worrying.

A food inspection revealed serious hygiene violations at the Essen bakery and confectionery shop "Café Ruhrblick" on Überruhrstraße. The authorities then ordered the temporary closure of the business on January 27th.

During the inspection, large areas of black, mold-like deposits were found on the walls and ceilings of the main production and storage rooms. Various pieces of equipment such as the dough sheeter, freezers, hood dishwasher, bread slicer and bread roll press were contaminated with old dirt.

What was particularly alarming was that the inspectors found rice flour beetles in drawers between supplies and recipe folders. Dead moths and maggots were also discovered in a flour sack.

The authorities ordered the immediate closure of the business until a thorough cleaning was carried out. In addition, the disposal of all open food was ordered. During a follow-up inspection on the following day, January 28, the inspectors found that the thorough cleaning had been carried out sufficiently. The business was then reopened.

According to a publication by the city of Essen, this is a violation of regulations for the protection of health, the protection of consumers from deception or the compliance with hygiene requirements, for which a fine of at least 350 euros can be expected.