Amsterdam restaurant reopens after rat infestation, but owner plans to sell it soon
A restaurant on Javastraat in Amsterdam-Oost that was closed at the end of March by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) due to a rat infestation has reopened this week after corrective measures were taken, AT5 said. The reopening, however, will be brief, as the owner says he will relocate and is putting the current premises up for sale.
The restaurant was shut down at the end of March after inspectors from the NVWA found a rat infestation. Since the start of this week, it has been allowed to reopen after the owner implemented required improvements, including sealing all holes and cracks in the building and hiring a professional pest control company. The NVWA confirmed to AT5 that the business met all conditions and was permitted to resume operations.
The NVWA also said that the video circulating on social media showing rats in the establishment is a clear example of what can happen in food businesses and why operators must do everything possible to prevent such situations. “Consumers must be able to eat safely.”
Despite the clearance to reopen, the owner, speaking to AT5 anonymously, said, “The problem has been solved, and I am allowed to reopen, but I am done with this place.”
He added that the situation has had a significant impact on him. “I could not work because of the stress, and I will move to another location next month.” He said, visibly emotional, that he will sell the Javastraat restaurant and open a new establishment elsewhere, though the new location has not yet been decided. “The business is closing because I am very affected by everything. I can no longer work in this place.”
