Undercover operation exposes Kaufland’s dismal hygiene standardsCredit: Shutterstock: Roman Nerud
Kaufland supermarket has been the target of an undercover investigation conducted by ‘Team Wallraff’ – Reporter undercover.
Posing as employees, reporters got the inside track on 50 stores across Germany for nearly a year. This was conducted in collaboration with ‘the Stern’ magazine, and the findings were published on Thursday, 3 April.
Hygiene standard of Kaufland supermarket nothing short of scandalous
What they found is enough to put just about anyone off from shopping there. According to the publication, the investigation revealed over 80 per cent of the stores had disgustingly low hygiene standards. We are talking moldy freezers, fecal bacteria, and evidence of pest infestations, particularly mice. They also found that in at least two of the stores, expired or spoiled goods were being sold.
Hardly an endorsement that you would expect from a brand that is part of the Schwarz Group, one of Germany’s largest corporations. Encompassing hundreds of companies and providing employment to nearly 600,000 people, Kaufland, along with Lidl form their main revenue streams.
Kaufland takes drastic action to regain public confidence following hygiene scandal
Recognising the need to take drastic action and regain public confidence, a 5-point plan with an investment of half a billion euros has already been committed, although over what time frame has not been made clear. This money will be used to upgrade refrigeration units on an annual basis, as well as to carry out a thorough clean up in every Kaufland store to ensure proper hygiene standards are restored.
Alongside this, they have pledged to bring in external experts to train staff on practices relating to product freshness and maintaining hygiene standards. This will include the deployment of ‘qualified freshness trainers’ who will oversee the food counters in all of the stores.
‘Heads have rolled’ at Kaufland following hygiene scandal
The company has also taken the decision to close the Hamburg store while it undergoes renovations over the next six months. Likewise, the Bad Tölz store will also close, this time for just a week, to implement changes deemed necessary, including the appointment of a new management team.
In the announcement on Friday afternoon, April 4, Kaufland CEO Jochen Kratz was quoted as saying, “The latest pictures from our stores hurt us and make us concerned.” The pictures shown do not meet our standards in food handling and cleanliness in any way, and the company will make sure that customers can rely on Kaufland.”
No doubt company owner Dieter Schwarz is hoping so as it is said that within his empire, Kaufland holds a very special place in his heart. So much so that he reportedly has an office right behind the first branch, which he opened in 1984 in Neckarsulm near Heilbronn.
Over to you – Do you believe this remedial plan will be enough to repair the damage to the Kaufland brand?
