Regulation

Hungarian rules that food truck operators must comply with are very strict, because until there is no food truck-specific regulations, general catering rules apply to these businesses. Anna Zoltai, the head of NÉBIH’s Horeca Supervision Department, told our magazine that so far no food truck operator contacted them for guidance or advice. Food truck operators informed our magazine that it isn’t easy to get the approval of municipalities either: they don’t differentiate between a tricycle selling burgers and trucks serving quality dishes.

Ms Zoltai opines that the biggest problem is that food truck operators aren’t familiar with the relevant legislation. Hygiene regulations haven’t changed in recent years. She underlined that food safety rules must be kept in food trucks the same way as in a workplace cafeteria. It is very important that food trucks must have a base, a place where the vehicle is prepared for service. One of the biggest problems is what kind of toilet those who work in the truck can use. NÉBIH doesn’t target the food truck segment specifically with inspections, they typically control their operation at district authority level.