The Kaufland supermarket chain is facing serious allegations following a recent investigation by the RTL program "Team Wallraff - Reporter undercover." The report highlighted alarming hygiene issues across various Kaufland branches, particularly focusing on a store in Bad Tölz, Bavaria.
On April 4, 2025, Kaufland publicly responded to the disturbing images and reports aired by RTL, stating that the conditions depicted were "absolutely unacceptable." A spokesperson for the company acknowledged the expectations of their customers and emphasized that the representations shown did not align with Kaufland's stringent standards for food handling and cleanliness.
The investigation revealed that a hidden camera captured shocking practices within the Bad Tölz store, which had only recently undergone renovations. Reportedly, a single cleaning staff member was responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the entire 3,800 square meter facility. Mold was discovered in refrigerated display cases, and there were instances of expired products being repackaged and resold.
One of the more troubling findings included cheese that was sold after visible mold had been cut away. Additionally, employees were instructed to mix expired shrimp-pumpkin salad with fresh salad to disguise its condition. The situation was so dire that an employee was filmed using air freshener to mask the stench emanating from the fish storage area.
In response to the investigation, Kaufland announced immediate measures, including the temporary closure of the Bad Tölz branch until April 12, 2025. The company is implementing a thorough retraining program for the 80 employees at that location, focusing on hygiene and proper food handling. A new management team has also been appointed to oversee these changes.
Kaufland's spokesperson further stated, "The conditions shown will not be repeated. A strengthened team will take responsibility upon reopening to regain the trust of our customers." The supermarket chain is also committing to a significant investment of 500 million euros across other locations to enhance food safety and hygiene standards.
The RTL report revealed that problems were not isolated to Bad Tölz. In a broader investigation involving 50 Kaufland stores across Germany, over 80 percent were found to have significant hygiene deficiencies, including spoiled food and rodent infestations. For instance, a branch in Homburg, Saarland, was filmed with a night vision camera capturing 48 mouse movements under a cookie shelf within just six hours.
Among the alarming findings, several employees reported that the intense pressure to meet sales targets often led to compromised hygiene practices. Cleaning staff were reportedly sparse, with thorough cleanings occurring only in anticipation of inspections.
The investigative team also tested chicken samples from various branches, revealing the presence of Campylobacter, a pathogen associated with foodborne illness, in half of the samples collected. Some samples even contained antibiotic-resistant bacteria, raising further concerns about food safety.
Kaufland has stated that it is taking these allegations seriously and is actively reviewing its internal processes. The company has replaced management in both the Bad Tölz and Homburg branches as part of its immediate response to the findings.
In light of the negative publicity, Kaufland's Germany CEO Jochen Kratz expressed regret over the situation, stating, "The recent images from our stores hurt us and deeply concern us. The conditions depicted do not reflect our standards in food handling and cleanliness. This is not the Kaufland experience that our 90,000 employees and millions of customers expect."
As part of its action plan, Kaufland has committed to a comprehensive cleaning of all its stores in Germany over the coming weeks, alongside the replacement of refrigeration units to ensure food safety. The company is also focusing on further training for its staff to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The Bad Tölz store, which had only reopened at the end of 2023 after extensive renovations, is now under scrutiny as Kaufland aims to restore customer confidence. The reopening is scheduled for April 14, 2025, with assurances that the store will operate under improved conditions.
These developments come at a time when food safety and hygiene are under increased scrutiny in the retail sector. The findings from the "Team Wallraff" investigation have prompted calls for stricter regulations and oversight in supermarkets to protect consumers.
Kaufland, which operates over 770 locations and employs more than 90,000 people in Germany, is part of the Schwarz Group, which also owns the discount supermarket chain Lidl. As the company navigates the fallout from this investigation, it faces the challenge of rebuilding its reputation and ensuring the safety of its products.
The issue of food safety is not new, as similar scandals have emerged in the past involving other retailers. The public's trust in supermarkets hinges on their ability to maintain high standards of hygiene and transparency. Kaufland's response will be closely watched as consumers demand accountability and assurance that their food is safe.
