Berlin Moves to Abolish Clean Kitchen Law Amid Staffing Shortages and Industry Pressure

Controversial Proposal Aims to End “Saubere-Küchen-Gesetz”

Berlin’s state government is preparing to repeal the “Saubere-Küchen-Gesetz,” a law designed to make hygiene conditions in restaurants, bakeries, and snack bars publicly visible through a traffic-light-style rating system. The draft legislation, introduced by the Berlin Senate’s Justice Department under CDU Senator Felor Badenberg, would formally eliminate both the law and its accompanying regulation. This move follows months of administrative review and is now open for feedback from industry groups until mid-June.

The law, formally known as the Food Inspection Transparency Act, took effect in early 2023 after being passed in 2021 under Berlin’s former red-red-green coalition. It obligated district health offices to publish hygiene inspection results, with food businesses required to display a colored rating barometer at their entrances.

Implementation Lacked Resources, Impact Remained Minimal

Despite its ambitious goals, the law was barely enforced. In all of 2023, only three inspection results were published citywide, according to data uncovered by Foodwatch. Some districts completed just 7% of their routine inspections due to ongoing staff shortages. Authorities argue that the law demanded resources far beyond the capabilities of local departments.

The Justice Department now claims that removing the law would ease the strain on Berlin’s overstretched inspection teams. A spokesperson explained that most tasks related to food safety are already mandated under federal and EU law, making the Berlin regulation redundant and unnecessarily burdensome. Although the additional workload from the law was officially described as “relatively minor,” it was still viewed as non-essential amid tight budget constraints.

Divided Reactions: Industry Applauds, Watchdogs Alarmed

The hospitality sector welcomed the repeal. The Berlin chapter of the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) supported the decision, stating that Germany already maintains high food safety standards and that the added transparency system placed an unfair administrative burden on small businesses. According to Dehoga, operators are already required to comply with strict food hygiene regulations without additional local mandates.

However, consumer advocacy groups strongly opposed the rollback. Foodwatch denounced the proposal as a “gift to the restaurant lobby” and accused the government of undermining public rights in favor of economic interests. Rauna Bindewald of Foodwatch described the hygiene barometer’s removal as “a blessing for filthy establishments” and labeled the decision a setback for transparency and civic empowerment.

The transparency initiative was praised internationally, with organizations pointing to Denmark’s Smiley-System as a successful example. There, a similar public grading system led to a significant reduction in health violations within a few years without overburdening authorities.

Bureaucracy or Accountability? Debate Continues in Berlin

The Justice Department’s official reasoning centers on operational capacity. Senator Badenberg stated that the law was too bureaucratic and had little practical benefit in improving food safety. She emphasized the importance of designing a streamlined oversight framework that aligns with local manpower and logistical realities. According to her office, approximately 14 staff positions had been allocated to implement the law; these roles will not be cut but redirected toward other inspection tasks.

Critics, however, argue that effective oversight depends on visibility. They warn that ending the hygiene barometer system removes a layer of accountability that encouraged businesses to maintain high standards, especially when public disclosure was a possibility.

The debate reflects a broader tension in policymaking: balancing regulatory efficiency with public interest. While the government highlights the need to reduce red tape and relieve pressure on local agencies, watchdogs warn that transparency should not be the first casualty of budget adjustments.

Next Steps: Law Faces Formal Review Process

The Justice Department has formally submitted the repeal draft to the Berlin House of Representatives. A consultation phase with affected stakeholders, including businesses and advocacy groups, is underway and expected to conclude in mid-June.

Until then, the future of the hygiene transparency law remains undecided. But with political backing from the ruling CDU and widespread claims of administrative overload, the repeal appears likely unless significant opposition sways the legislative outcome.

As Berlin weighs efficiency against transparency, the coming weeks will determine whether public access to restaurant hygiene ratings becomes a short-lived experiment or a permanent feature of city governance.