The State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) in Lithuania has halted the operations of a fast-food restaurant after revealing that there was no running cold or hot water in the food preparation areas and customer toilets. Instead, staff were using buckets of cold water brought from the basement for food preparation and heating water in kettles to clean equipment. The customer restrooms were locked, with a sign indicating they were out of service, raising serious concerns about sanitation and hygiene practices.

This action was taken to underscore the importance of having accessible running water in establishments that handle food. Continuous access to cold and hot running water is a fundamental hygiene requirement that enables proper handwashing by employees, as well as the washing and disinfecting of equipment to maintain cleanliness and impede the spread of bacteria and viruses. Without these basics, the health and safety of customers can be severely jeopardized, and thus the operation was suspended until corrective measures can be ensured.

The restaurant will only resume operations once the water supply system has been restored, and VMVT has conducted a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance with hygiene regulations. This incident highlights the crucial role of compliance with health standards in food service sectors, and serves as a reminder that neglecting basic hygiene practices can lead to operational shutdowns for businesses, regardless of their size or popularity.