For dinner with your pet? What does the Sanitary Inspectorate have to say about it?

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate hastens to clarify. Well, the food law does not prohibit the introduction of pets into catering establishments or stores. At the same time, there are no regulations in force that would mandate that owners of establishments allow pets to stay there - with the exception of dogs assisting people with disabilities.

Since there are no formal regulations prohibiting dogs from entering a restaurant, cafe or bar, more and more eating establishments are inviting customers along with their four-legged friends. It is worth remembering to pay attention while in such a place to ensure that the dog does not disturb other guests, pollute the space or disturb employees.

It is the decision of the owner of the plant

Entrepreneurs who operate in the food market must ensure that the food produced and marketed is safe for health and life. They are obliged to do so by food law, which applies to all EU member states. In the case of a catering establishment or store, responsibility for food safety therefore lies with the owners of such an outlet.

Assistance dog enters at all times: The owner of the premises cannot deny an assistance dog to a person with a disability. Therefore, when developing procedures for good hygiene practice and the implementation and application of the principles of the HACCP system, he must take into account in these procedures that my assistance dogs are allowed on the premises. These procedures may include, for example, rules for displaying food so that it will not be contaminated while the assistance dog is on the premises.

The owner of an establishment is required to develop appropriate procedures to prevent food contamination, including but not limited to access by pets to areas where food is prepared, processed or stored. If it decides that customers may enter with their pets, it must ensure that conditions are such that the presence of pets does not cause food contamination. For this reason, even if the establishment is dog-friendly, the owner of the establishment will not allow them in the back room or in areas where food is prepared.

Dog in a restaurant: to take or not to take

The law does not prohibit animals from entering catering establishments and stores, and the owner of the premises may or may not allow them.

If the owner of a restaurant or pub does not agree to spend time in his establishment together with his pet, he does not have to justify such a decision. However, it is often a matter of concern for guests with allergies or those who do not feel comfortable in the company of dogs. Therefore, if there is no clear information at the entrance to a restaurant about the possibility of entering with a dog, it is worth asking the staff.

Who controls it

Whether entrepreneurs meet the requirements is checked by the official food control authorities, that is, in the case of a restaurant or store, the authorities of the State Sanitary Inspection. The person inspecting the establishment during the inspection will check documents confirming whether appropriate internal procedures have been developed and are being applied in the given food production and/or trading establishment.

Source: GIS