Polish sanitary authorities closed a RegioJet food warehouse in Kraków after finding improper storage conditions, including expired products and unsanitary practices.
RegioJet’s Polish Market Entry Issues
Further reports indicate that Czech company RegioJet was unprepared for entering the Polish market. The sanitary authorities announced the closure of the food warehouse supplying products for onboard trains, citing unsanitary storage conditions.
Inspection Reveals Multiple Violations
The Kraków County Sanitary and Epidemiological Station reported a joint inspection with police on April 20th revealed irregularities in food and beverage storage, including perishable items. Some products were found to be past their expiration dates.
Inspectors also discovered 16,000 bottles of mineral water stored on pallets outdoors without protection from the elements and potential contaminants.
Operating Without Required Permits
The warehouse was operating without the necessary permit from the State County Sanitary Inspector in Kraków, required for food storage facilities.
Food Seized for Disposal
Following the April 20th inspection in Kraków, the warehouse was closed and food was ordered for disposal.
Additional Issues: Waste and Environmental Concerns
Sanitary officials also found “significant amounts of waste,” including bagged refuse, leading to the case being referred to the Provincial Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Kraków. Decisions were issued to close the facility and dispose of expired food and improperly stored water.
Potential Fines for RegioJet
The County Sanitary Inspector informed DGP that RegioJet could face fines for operating a food business without proper registration and for selling expired products, as well as for failing to implement appropriate procedures.
RegioJet Response and Withdrawal from Poland
A RegioJet spokesperson stated the Kraków warehouse was a “temporary solution” during the company’s initial operations and was slated for permanent closure on April 7th, with all items designated for disposal. This timing coincides with the company’s decision to end domestic routes in Poland by May 3rd.
RegioJet attributes its exit from the Polish domestic market to obstacles created by PKP companies, including the blocking of a land purchase in Warsaw for a service base, which was won in an auction on August 7, 2025, and delays in repairs due to winter conditions. PKP also allegedly blocked advertising and ticket sales.
Further Allegations: Labor Practices and PIP Investigation
The Kraków warehouse is another example of makeshift operations. “Gazeta Wyborcza” recently reported complaints from employees regarding working conditions, including a Slovakian IT employee working in containers near Warsaw and not being registered with ZUS (the Polish social insurance institution). These issues have prompted an investigation by the State Labor Inspectorate.
Employees also reported chaos, lack of coordination, and resulting malfunctions in train cars. While RegioJet offered higher wages, other issues led to staffing shortages.
