It is very rare for restaurants or food stands at the Schuerberfouer to be closed down by food inspectors says commissioner Patrick Hau. Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

It is very rare for restaurants or food stands at the Schuerberfouer to be closed down by food inspectors says commissioner Patrick Hau. Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne

Restaurants and food stands at the Schuerberfouer fun fair are controlled by the food safety commission. About a hundred inspections have already been carried out since the start of the fair on 19 August, with most establishments recording a compliance rate of over 75%.

Whether you want to enjoy Gromperekichelcher on a terrace or eat a waffle between rides, there is no shortage of options for food lovers at the Schueberfouer. But how is food safety ensured at such events, while the recent food scandal at is still fresh in people's minds?

Inspections are “always unannounced”, explains Patrick Hau, government commissioner for quality, fraud and food safety. They are governed by European regulations and are carried out on the basis of a 'risk analysis'. At the Schuerberfouer, about 100 inspections were carried out between 19 and 29 August 2022. “They are conducted throughout the duration of the fair,” says Hau.

They are of three types of checks. “Inspections to check compliance with food hygiene measures: cold chain, pest control and so forth,” Hau explains. “At the same time, samples are taken from food products, ready to eat or intermediate products, such as sauces. They are then submitted to laboratories. And there are quality controls on the drinking water used for food production, especially on the connecting pipes. In addition, there are controls triggered by a request from consumers, who can report any suspicions on sécurité-alimentaire.lu.”

No restaurant below 50% compliance

In the event of non-compliance, follow-up checks are scheduled, at the cost of the restaurant owner in question. If the problem is serious, the inspector can also order the closure of the establishment for two days, which can be extended for a month by the ministry. This has not happened so far this year. “It is very rare. The establishments [at the fair] are almost always the same, we know them and they know the system. In recent years, enormous efforts have been made, the sector has become more professional,” says Hau.

In 52% of the inspections conducted so far in 2022, the compliance rate was between 75 and 90%. It was above 90% in 23% of cases. Seven percent had a compliance rate of 70-75% and eight establishments had a compliance rate of less than 70%. None fell below the 50% mark.

This fair represents just a certain share of the restaurant checks. 2,215 have been carried out since the beginning of 2022 in all “processing/distribution” establishments, which includes for example supermarkets. 19 other levels of checks exist, implicating the entire chain from farmer to transport and distribution and sales.

This article was originally and has been translated and edited by Delano