Food monitoring; carrying out company and product inspections

The federal states are responsible for food monitoring. In Bavaria, responsibility lies with the district administrative authorities (district administration offices and independent municipalities) and the Food Safety and Veterinary Control Authority.

Food monitoring carries out risk-oriented inspections of businesses in which food is produced, handled or placed on the market, e.g. manufacturing businesses, restaurants, food wholesalers and retailers, importers, snack bars and weekly markets. Among other things, it inspects food hygiene in businesses.

Another important part of food monitoring is the risk-oriented testing of various products. The Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL) draws up sample plans for this purpose. After carrying out various tests, the experts at the LGL draw up an expert report in which they present the results obtained, including a food law and, if applicable, toxicological assessment. On the basis of this report, the district administrative authorities decide on any measures to be taken.

There is a confidential information hotline for consumer complaints (see "Further links").

In the event of consumer complaints, it is advisable to notify the official food control authorities quickly and to retain the product in question.