Hungary: food inspections

In Hungary the app follows the EU hygiene rules, Decree 62/2011 (VM) and Nébih’s catering hygiene guide; county and district government offices inspect, directed by NKFH.

Inspection body

National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority (Nemzeti Kereskedelmi és Fogyasztóvédelmi Hatóság, NKFH)

The county (vármegyei) government offices and their district offices (járási hivatal) inspect restaurants on site. NKFH directs this food-trade control and plans the yearly programme. Nébih keeps the food business register (FELIR), the hygiene guide and the list of risky firms.

Under the Food Chain Act (Éltv., Act 2008/XLVI) a fine starts at HUF 15,000. An on-the-spot fine is HUF 25,000 to 200,000. The authority can suspend a business for up to 1 year or ban it for up to 3 years, and a notice must hang on the premises meanwhile. The business pays for samples that fail. Fire, public-health, labour and tax offices also check premises.

Hygiene rating

There is no rating or sticker for ordinary restaurants. Nébih has a voluntary quality rating from jeles (5, 90 to 100%) to elégtelen (1, under 60%), compulsory only for public canteens. Serious breaches are published by name on Nébih’s risky-firm list for 2 years.