Food scandal – Rotten fish had to be taken to the hotel

Rotten fish for the hotel

Food scandal rocks Mallorca

Fish that had been out of date for six years and had been prepared for delivery to hotels and restaurants: This discovery by investigators is likely to trigger feelings of disgust among some Mallorcan tourists.

The Civil Guard and the Directorate General of Public Health have removed a total of 20 tonnes of inedible items from circulation in Mallorca. As is always reported by local media, many pallets of food were confiscated, especially in a warehouse in Palma.

There is talk of rotten fish and other rotten seafood. In some cases, the expiry date of fish and prawns is said to have expired for as long as six years. In addition, inspectors found that the cold chain had been broken several times on many foods. The company allows its fish and seafood to thaw before refreezing.

A break in the cold chain means a good breeding ground for bacteria. Even a brief increase in temperature is enough for microorganisms such as salmonella, listeria or intestinal bacteria to multiply – especially in perishable foods such as fish.

Apart from raw products, officers are said to have also found cooked products. The microbiological risk is even higher in cooked food and its shelf life expires more quickly.

Very sensitive: The newspaper “Ultima Hora” reported that pallets of rotten food found would be sent to restaurants and hotels on the island popular with tourists. The wholesaler mainly supplies Mallorca’s catering sector.

As just announced by the Guardia Civil, investigators discovered the foul material in April. The government of the Balearic Islands has now imposed a fine on the company: 90,000 euros for violating health regulations.