World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Bakery owner arrested after customer finds dead rat in cake in Porto Alegre
A customer in Porto Alegre found a dead rat in a cake bought from a local bakery.
Police said the cake had been partly eaten before the rodent was noticed.
The bakery's 41-year-old owner was arrested on suspicion of a crime involving consumer relations.
Inspectors found rodent droppings and urine, expired products and poor hygiene at the premises.
The findings raise concerns about food safety and the risk to customers.
One account says two inspected businesses were shut, while another describes one; the inspected premises were closed.
The inspections were part of Operation Expurgo, a permanent effort to address unsafe food production and sales, and authorities say it will continue.
A bakery owner was arrested in Porto Alegre after a customer reported finding a dead rat inside a cake.
Police said the cake had been partly eaten before the rodent was identified.
Inspections in the city’s South Zone and Centre found rodent droppings and urine, expired products and inadequate hygiene.
The inspected establishments were shut down, according to the reports.
The owner was arrested on suspicion of a crime against consumer relations.
- Who
- A 41-year-old owner of a cake shop was arrested after a customer made a report.
- What
- The customer said they found a dead rat inside a cake bought at the shop.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Porto Alegre, Brazil; inspections took place in the South Zone and Centre.
- Why
- Police investigated after the customer’s report and said inspections found sanitation problems that could put consumers at risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A consumer reported finding a dead rat inside a partly eaten cake.
Police, health inspectors and officers from the 13th Police Station inspected establishments in Porto Alegre and arrested the shop owner.
- Arrest
- The 41-year-old shop owner was arrested on suspicion of a crime against consumer relations
- Customer report
- A dead rat was found inside a cake that had been partly eaten
- Inspection findings
- Rodent droppings and urine, expired products and inadequate hygiene
- Locations
- Porto Alegre’s South Zone and Centre
- Outlet identification
- GZH reported that the shop was Casa de Bolos, Cavalhada branch
3 sources
What people are saying
This action not only curbs criminal and administrative violations, but reaffirms the State's commitment to the life, health and dignity of every citizen