Serbian bakery shut down over hygiene concerns; owner alleges inspector misconduct

The agricultural inspection has ordered the closure of the well-known "Boki" bakery in Nova Varoš, Serbia, citing "exceptionally poor hygiene conditions" as the reason. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management issued an unusually detailed statement regarding the inspection's findings.

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I learned about the closure from you, the inspectors are hiding their faces, and they are violating HACCP.

According to the ministry, the bakery's premises were found to be "extremely dirty," with visible mold and grease on the walls and ceiling. The production area also reportedly contained cobwebs and other impurities, and the disinfectant mat was soiled. The ministry stated that the closure would remain in effect until all irregularities are rectified and that further legal measures would be taken against the responsible party.

However, Bojan Popović, the owner of "Boki" bakery and a local councilor for the "Nova lica Srbije" party, told Nova.rs that he was unaware of the closure until he heard it from the media. He also claimed that inspectors entered his bakery without showing their identification and that they themselves violated strict HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards by photographing the facility with their phones.

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extremely dirty

Popović stated that he had not yet received an official closure order. He expressed surprise at seeing photos of his bakery's interior in the media, calling it "hypocrisy" given that inspectors are supposed to adhere to HACCP rules, which prohibit mobile phone use in production areas due to contamination risks. He also mentioned receiving a handwritten report from the inspectors that was virtually illegible.

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serious shortcomings that could endanger food safety