Germany: food inspections

In Germany the app follows the food hygiene law (LFGB, LMHV, IfSG), EU Regulation 852/2004 and the BfR’s guidance; the food control office of your district or city inspects.

Inspection body

Food control office of the district or city (Lebensmittelüberwachung, also called Veterinär- und Lebensmittelüberwachungsamt)

Food control is a task of each federal state (Land). In practice the food control office of the district or city (Lebensmittelüberwachung) inspects restaurants. The federal office BVL only coordinates and does not inspect restaurants.

Visits are based on risk. As a rule they are not announced. The authority can order tests and ban sales until the results come in. EU law also lets it stop all or part of a business’s activities. Fines run up to €100,000, €50,000 or €20,000 depending on the rule broken, and serious cases can be crimes.

Hygiene rating

There is no hygiene rating, sticker or duty to display a result in any Land. When hygiene rules were broken badly or repeatedly and a fine of at least €350 is expected, the Land publishes the business name and the breach online for 6 months.