Mouldy meat on walls, dead insects on the floor: gyros meat producing facility closed in Budapest

Hungary’s National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih) has suspended the operations of a Budapest-based plant producing gyros meat ingredients after inspectors uncovered shocking hygiene violations posing serious food safety risks. A second facility in Pest County, which processes poultry and manufactures both gyros meat and gyros skewers, also faced immediate sanctions.

During comprehensive inspections targeting producers of gyros meat and skewers, Nébih officials removed a total of 8,500 kg of food products from the market and placed them under official seal. Legal proceedings and fines against the companies involved are currently underway.

Shocking conditions in Budapest facility

According to the statement of Nébih, the inspectors reported severe hygiene failures at the Budapest plant. Several doors opening to the outside lacked insect screens or failed to close properly, while the floors, walls and ceilings were in visibly poor and contaminated condition. Surfaces were cracked, peeling and in some areas covered with dried and mouldy meat residue.

The situation inside the facility raised further alarm: cigarette butts and dead insects littered the floor, and the crate-washing machine was found contaminated with rodent droppings. Documentation revealed that pest control measures had not been carried out for nearly a year.

Other violations included a broken workbench with accumulated dirt beneath, a filthy sink without any detergent available, and a non-operational hot-water tool steriliser that had not been filled or maintained. Proper conditions for hygienic handwashing were absent throughout the entire plant.

In addition, raw materials and finished products were frequently stored directly on the floor without protective trays, and the facility had no designated area for the storage of animal by-products. Freezing activities were undocumented, and inspectors witnessed workers defrosting chicken thigh fillets on the floor of the processing area, despite the products being labelled as “pre-chilled”.

Due to the severe and immediate food safety risk, Nébih suspended all operations at the site. More than 2.6 tonnes of untraceable food products were seized and withdrawn from circulation. The plant will only be permitted to reopen once all violations are corrected and a follow-up inspection confirms compliance.

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Pest County plant also sanctioned

Nébih inspectors also carried out a two-day investigation at a poultry processing facility in Pest County, which similarly produces gyros meat and complete gyros skewers. Authorities immediately prohibited all employees from working after discovering that none of the staff held valid health certificates, a legal requirement in Hungary’s food industry.

The facility also failed to maintain proper documentation of production and freezing processes. Inspectors removed 5.8 metric tonnes of expired or untraceable food products and imposed an immediate ban on their distribution and use.

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Broader crackdown on the gyros sector

The latest findings come just weeks after the National Consumer Protection Authority (NKFH) announced nationwide inspections of restaurants selling gyros, citing frequent irregularities in previous checks.

With large volumes of untraceable or potentially unsafe meat withdrawn from the supply chain, Nébih emphasised that strict enforcement will continue to ensure compliance and protect public health.