‘In order to ensure compliance with food hygiene and food safety regulations, traceability, and the use of appropriate kitchen technology, The National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) has ordered a national inspection of restaurants and snack bars selling gyros,’ NATCP announced in a post on their official website.

The Greek dish gyros (also known as gyro in some English dialects) is one of the most popular street foods in Hungary, with chains and stand-alone stands selling it across all cities. In the capital city of Budapest, it is not uncommon to find two gyros stands within a few blocks of each other.

Recently, several issues have emerged regarding the preparation and sale of gyros, which have led to increased scrutiny from the authorities. Inspections carried out by the NATCP and other government agencies revealed multiple problems, including breaks in the cold chain, difficulties verifying the origin of the meat, and inadequate kitchen hygiene. According to the NATCP, nearly 70 per cent of the inspections conducted so far uncovered violations, and four gyros vendors have had their operations suspended.

The NATCP and the government agencies operating under its supervision place particular emphasis on verifying the origin and traceability of raw materials, ensuring proper storage and cooking temperatures, and checking kitchen practices such as marinating and skewering the meat.

The inspections also assess employee hygiene, the cleanliness of work areas, whether consumers are properly informed about allergens, and whether vendors have submitted all required official documentation.

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