NVWA food safety inspectors have closed all 14 bakeries belonging to the Van Keulen chain with immediate effect because of serious hygiene infringements which could lead to an “acute threat” to public health.

The bakeries, all situated in Brabant and Gelderland, will remain closed until conditions at the central distribution bakery improve, the NVWA said.

Owner Gerard van Keulen initially said there had been “technical hitch in the production line” and that the bakeries would be open again on Saturday, but later had to admit the problem concerned below par hygiene, local broadcaster Omroep Brabant reported.

“The bakery will remain closed until a new inspection shows it conforms to the legal hygiene norms,” an NVWA inspector told the broadcaster.