Mice helping themselves to kebab meat? A Tiktok video from Düsseldorf is putting the “Haus des Döner” in distress. The video is really damaging the image of the hyped fast food chain.
The kebab is Germany’s most popular fast food. The fast-growing kebab chain “Haus des Döners” also knows this. Marketing campaigns such as offering a kebab for just one cent are particularly aimed at young people.
Tiktok video: Mouse eats kebab meat
But it’s not just people who seem to enjoy the meat. Mice also like to strike. A Tiktok video is currently seriously damaging the image of the kebab chain. In the video you can see a mouse helping itself to the meat that was left lying around after the store closed. According to WDR research, it is a Cologne branch. The shop was obviously locked and completely uncleaned.
Lack of hygiene at least in Cologne and Düsseldorf
This is apparently not an isolated case. Food inspectors found significant hygiene deficiencies at two other NRW branches. This time in Düsseldorf. The case is documented on the website of the Ministry of Consumer Protection:
Storing the lettuce in direct contact with the moldy wall. The cold store was covered in mold over a large area (…). In some cases the outer packaging of the skewers was damaged, so that the meat came into direct contact with the ground.
State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection NRW
Many fast food restaurants are apparently struggling with the increased prices. The Federal Association of Food Inspectors sees this as an industry-wide problem. Price pressure and migration of employment caused great difficulties, said chairman Maik Maschke. “Then you save money, you can’t offer the kebab for 14 or 15 euros.”
But skimping on cleanliness is usually not a good idea. The WDR confronted the “Haus des Döner” with the defects found in NRW branches. The company informed WDR in writing:
The incidents in Düsseldorf (…) do not in any way correspond to the standards that we demand from our franchise partners. As soon as we became aware of the defects, we reacted immediately and took immediate action.
Statement House of Doner
Now there is regular training and stricter controls. The mouse infestation is not a problem for the fast food chains, but rather a city-wide problem. Nevertheless, stricter measures will be enforced.
Our sources:
- Tiktok-Video
- WDR research
- Website State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection NRW
- Inquiry Haus des Doner
- Interview with Maik Maschke, Federal Association of Food Inspectors
