Catering food laboratory seized: rat infestation and expired foodstuffs

A heavy rodent infestation was going on in the food warehouse: in addition to the presence of numerous droppings under one of the warehouse shelves, two large dead rats were found.

The Carabinieri of the Nas of Bologna wrote this when reporting on an operation that led to the closure of a food laboratory based in the lower Bolognese area, specialising in catering and the organisation of banquets for ceremonies or events.

The inspection was carried out in the last few days, with the approaching time of year when the number of banquets related to ceremonies or events such as weddings rises.

Several critical points were reported by the Carabinieri: the metal shelves were rusty and dirty and the foodstuffs were resting directly on the ground, even in packages left open and exposed to pest threats; important quantities of fresh foodstuffs (mozzarella, butter, cheese)and preserved foodstuffs (spices, molecular additives, preserves, etc.) had outdated use-by dates; finally, a 'heavy rodent infestation' was ascertained, with two dead rats found in the same warehouse.) had exceeded their use-by date; finally, the presence of a 'heavy rodent infestation' was ascertained, with two dead rats found in the same warehouse.

In addition to this, it was discovered that the production of canned fruit and vegetables (jams, pickled vegetables in oil, pickles) in glass jars with metal caps, subjected to pasteurisation, had been started in the laboratory, without an adequate risk assessment having been carried out beforehand, also in relation to the potential development of pathogens such as botulism, and in the absence of a dedicated Haccp procedure.