People should reject poor hygiene practices in food establishments by taking their custom elsewhere, a new poster advertising campaign to combat food poisoning emphasises. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday introduced its first outdoor campaign and asked people to use their consumer power to raise standards of food safety and hygiene.
The posters carry the message "Poor Hygiene - Don't Accept It" to prompt consumers not to purchase or eat food from premises where standards are not excellent. The campaign was started because of concerns that food-poisoning incidence statistics are increasing, particularly with the warmer weather.
Dr Patrick Wall, chief executive of the FSAI, said: `We want people to vote with their feet and take their custom elsewhere if they have concerns about hygiene."
People should be vigilant about all levels of cleanliness, from floor surfaces and display counters to the appearance of staff and their approach to food handling.
"If people, for example, see a dirty floor or unhygienic toilet facilities, it should be taken as an indication of the premises' policy towards hygiene, and customers should complain to the management and not give that business custom," Dr Wall said.
Customers who have complaints should inform the environmental officers in the health boards.
People "injured" by defective raw food in England and Wales this Christmas will be able to claim compensation from farmers or food producers, the British government said last night. Regulations extending product liability to include raw food are due to come into force on December 4th, PA reported.