A recent investigation by a reporter team from Stern and RTL has uncovered severe hygiene deficiencies in Kaufland stores across Germany, specifically highlighting alarming conditions in the Homburg location.
The report details instances of dirty refrigerated shelves, fecal bacteria found on chicken meat sourced from a supplier, and a significant mouse infestation. These findings have raised serious concerns about food safety in one of Germany's largest supermarket chains.
Kaufland, which opened its first store in Neckarsulm in 1984 under the leadership of Dieter Schwarz, has grown into a retail giant, operating over 1500 stores across eight European countries and employing more than 155,000 people, with over 90,000 of those employees based in Germany. The supermarket chain offers an average of 30,000 items, including its popular private label K-Classic, which has been on the market since 2003 and features over 2000 products.
In the Homburg location, the investigation revealed that mice were frequently sighted in the bakery section. An employee reported, "Where the toast bread is, it is very dangerous." The Homburg Public Order Office, along with the Saarland Ministry of the Environment, confirmed the findings and initiated an administrative offense proceeding due to the "massive rodent infestation." Experts have expressed shock at the extent of the issue, with food inspector Bernd Stumm calling for the temporary closure of the store due to the severity of the infestation.
Kaufland has acknowledged the pest problem and plans to implement measures starting in May 2025. The company stated that the freshness and quality of its products are a "non-negotiable priority," emphasizing that the responsibility for food safety lies with the manufacturer rather than the retailer.
In addition to the pest issues, laboratory tests conducted as part of the investigation found Campylobacter in 15 of 30 chicken samples. Campylobacter is known to be the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in humans and is often transmitted through the consumption of undercooked poultry. Furthermore, antibiotic-resistant pathogens were discovered in eleven of the samples, raising concerns about the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics.
The investigation into Kaufland's hygiene practices is part of a broader examination where the reporter team checked 50 stores nationwide. Alarmingly, deficiencies were found in 48 of those locations, including serious violations such as moldy refrigerated shelves, expired products, and spoiled food. In the Saarland town of Lebach, reporters also noted deficiencies, though specifics were not disclosed in the report.
Reports of poor working conditions at Kaufland have also surfaced, with union representatives previously highlighting extreme issues faced by employees in Homburg. Undercover reporters from RTL's Team Wallraff investigated several locations, including those in Saarland, to shed light on the treatment of workers within the company. The findings from these investigations have led to renewed scrutiny of Kaufland's operational practices.
In light of the ongoing concerns, Kaufland has issued a written statement asserting that they take the reports seriously and are actively investigating the claims made by the reporters. The company has committed to addressing the deficiencies identified, stating that some of the issues reported "definitely do not meet our requirements." Kaufland also reassured customers that the quality of their products and the protection of their health remain top priorities.
The company's reputation is now at stake, as the findings mirror previous investigations into other major food chains, like the 2023 Wallraff investigation into Burger King, which resulted in the closure of several locations due to similar health violations.
As Kaufland prepares to modernize its Homburg store and address the highlighted issues, the public awaits further developments. The outcome of the administrative proceedings and the company's commitment to improving hygiene standards will be crucial in restoring consumer confidence.
With the increasing scrutiny from both regulatory bodies and the public, it remains to be seen how Kaufland will navigate this challenging situation and what steps they will take to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers and employees.
