Scandal in arcades: What children really eat often remains a secret!

Scandal in arcades: What children really eat often remains a secret!

The safety of food in arcades is currently the focus of consumer protection and food monitoring. Inspectors from the Polish Agricultural and Food Inspectorate and the IJHARS (Agricultural and Food Inspectorate) recently examined the quality of food and desserts in catering establishments, which are often used for children's birthday parties and family visits. A total of 191 products were screened, of which more than 56% contained false or illegal information for consumers, such as Dla Handlu reported.

The problems identified are alarming. For example, pizzas were found to use mozzarella substitutes containing vegetable fat, as well as a “yogurt” sauce for burgers that was not yogurt but a similar product. Even the popular “pistachio cheesecake” only had a pistachio flavor. In some cases, salad cheese was actually used instead of the legally protected feta, in clear violation of food labeling.

Hidden ingredients and health risks

Consumers were often unable to identify what their children were being served because the dishes on offer were presented with imaginative names such as “mouse” or “shark” without clearly identifying the ingredients. The quality of the products tested was often poor. In 66 samples examined in the laboratory, vegetable fats were found in products declared to contain milk in five cases (7.6%). In addition, the specified oregano was missing in two samples, and the use of expired cheese and ham was detected in one restaurant.

Another aspect of the investigation concerned the quality of the oil used for frying. In three cases, residues of burnt food were found in the oil, and in two cases the levels of polar compounds exceeded health limits. These results resulted in 11 fines and 6 fines against responsible individuals. In addition, 21 subsequent recommendations were made to improve the quality of the food. Matters regarding expired raw materials and missing allergens in the ingredient list were referred to relevant authorities such as Sanepid and the Veterinary Inspectorate.

Regulatory framework in Germany

In Germany, all food, including imported goods, must be safe and meet legal requirements. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) ensures that food business operators bear responsibility for the safety of their products. This also includes controls carried out by food control authorities. In 2023, over 458,939 companies were inspected, which corresponds to around 36% of all food processing companies in Germany.

The regulatory measures include provisions for labeling, with particular emphasis on allergens. The increasing globalization of the food trade and the trend towards plant-based alternatives require regulations to be adjusted. Novel foods must also be approved, while genetically modified organisms have had to be labeled EU-wide since 2004.

The reporting of these abuses in arcades shows the urgent need for stricter controls and better education for consumers. Transparency and quality in the catering industry must be guaranteed, especially at a time when parents are concerned about their children's nutrition.