Sanitary inspectors examine Magda Gessler's hair, jewelry and nails on "Kitchen Nightmares" set

In brief

• Warsaw's sanitary inspectorate answered a press question from Fakt about whether Magda Gessler's appearance on "Kitchen Nightmares" meets food hygiene rules.
• The reply, from deputy Mazovian chief sanitary inspector Marzena Woźniak, says hair must be covered, jewelry avoided on hands and wrists, and nails kept short and clean.
• The inspectorate noted that filming does not exempt the restaurant from hygiene obligations, and no inspection or fine has been reported.

Questions about hygiene on the set

In nearly every episode of the show, Magda Gessler works in a restaurant kitchen with loose curly hair, rings on her fingers and bracelets on her wrists, and she sometimes wears long nails. Editors of the tabloid Fakt asked the Warsaw Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station whether such an appearance is allowed under food hygiene regulations. (Sanepid ocenił „Kuchenne rewolucje”. Chodzi o wygląd Magdy Gessler – Jastrząb Post) (Co wolno Magdzie Gessler w kuchni? Sanepid punktuje "Kuchenne rewolucje" – Fakt)

What the inspectorate said

Marzena Woźniak, deputy Mazovian chief sanitary inspector, replied to the newspaper's question in a detailed letter. She described the rules that apply to food handlers and to people entering food production areas, and noted that the presence of camera crews in small kitchens does not exempt the restaurant from those rules.

According to the reply, hair must be covered, jewelry is generally not allowed on the hands and wrists during food preparation, and nails should be short and clean. Visitors and television staff are also expected to follow hygiene requirements when they are in a kitchen.

Consequences for the programme

The inspectorate's position is that filming a programme does not change the obligations of the establishment. Producers and the restaurant owners would bear the responsibility for keeping the kitchen compliant during recording.

The reports do not describe any inspection, fine or proceeding against the programme, the restaurant or Magda Gessler herself. (Magda Gessler będzie mieć problemy przez "Kuchenne rewolucje"? Sanepid zabrał głos – Plotek.pl)

Context

The show has long been criticised for the way its kitchens look on screen, and the new debate revives that discussion. Viewers have noticed the difference between the on-screen image and rules that apply to real restaurant staff.