Milan Central Market: Health Inspections Reveal Widespread Infestation, 17 Businesses Shut Down
Milan, February 21st – A recent health inspection at Milan’s Central Market, a prominent gastronomic hub, has led to the closure of 17 businesses due to severe hygiene deficiencies and a widespread cockroach infestation. The inspections, conducted by the ATS (Health Protection Agency) Milan on February 18th and 19th, scrutinized 27 establishments including restaurants, hot tables, bars/pizzerias, and pastry shops. Only four were found to be in full compliance with health regulations, while six received mandatory prescriptions for immediate improvements.
Impacting a Five-Year-Old Gastronomic Hub
The Central Market, inaugurated just five years ago on September 2nd, 2021, spans nearly five thousand square meters across two floors, facing Piazza IV Novembre near the train station. It was envisioned as a high-quality food destination, expecting 2.5 million visitors annually. The recent findings by ATS Milan cast a shadow on this image.
According to a statement from ATS, “Non-conformities were found in various food businesses, including restaurants, hot tables, bars/pizzerias, and pastry shops, due to the widespread presence of pests (cockroaches), both live and dead, as well as accumulated dirt not removed, attributable to deficiencies in cleaning operations and food residues.”
Root Causes: Poor Cleaning and Maintenance
The ATS’s “Complex Structure for Food and Nutrition Hygiene” determined that the extensive pest infestation was primarily due to serious shortcomings in cleaning and maintenance, both within individual food businesses and the building as a whole. Cockroaches were also discovered in storage areas, changing rooms, and common areas.
Guido Bertolaso, the regional councillor for Welfare, commented on the situation, stating, “The protection of citizens’ health comes first. The timely intervention of our technicians demonstrates constant attention to food safety. Controls are a concrete tool for prevention and guarantee for consumers and correct operators. Now we will continue to monitor to ensure that adequate and compliant hygienic-sanitary conditions are restored.”
Market Management’s Response and Future Actions
In response to the ATS findings, Mercato Centrale Milano issued an official statement: “Regarding the measures established today by ATS Milano Città Metropolitana, Mercato Centrale Milano apologizes to its customers and is at the complete disposal of the competent authorities, to whom it assures rapid compliance with the requested prescriptions. The company wishes to clarify that it has always paid the utmost attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of its spaces, through bi-weekly controls carried out in all shops by an internal function responsible for verifying hygienic-sanitary conditions, significant investments in the matter, and constant collaboration with Grandi Stazioni. We assure Mercato Centrale’s maximum commitment in fulfilling the prescriptions and in subsequent restoration actions.”
The market management is now tasked with implementing the necessary changes to address the health violations and eradicate the pest problem. The closures represent a significant setback for the businesses affected and for the market’s reputation as a high-quality gastronomic destination.
Further updates on the situation and the progress of the remediation efforts are expected as the market works to restore compliance and ensure a safe environment for its patrons.
