Agency in Wales launches Food Hygiene Campaign

Monday 11 February 2002

Annual survey reveals increase in consumer concern over food poisoning and hygiene standards

The Food Standards Agency Wales today (February 11 2002) launches a national campaign to tackle inadequate hygiene standards in catering businesses across the Principality.

The Welsh effort will target managers of 20,000 catering business in Wales with information on how to radically improve standards, and intends to reach employees of all catering outlets.

It forms part of a multi-million pound, UK-wide television, radio and print advertising campaign being run by the UK Food Standards Agency.

This is the first phase of the Agency's 5-year UK-wide £20m Food Hygiene Campaign, which aims to reduce incidents of food poisoning in the UK by 20% by 2006.

The 2001 FSA Consumer Attitudes to Food survey, published today, reveals that 14% of Welsh consumers - around 328,000 people - said they had food poisoning in the last year, a slight increase from 11% in 2000.

Four out of five – approximately 262,100 - believed their food-borne illness was caused by food prepared out of the home.

The second annual Consumer Attitudes to Food survey also reveals:

Almost half of all Welsh consumers (48%) expressed concern about standards of hygiene in catering outlets, a significant rise in 2001 from 40% in 2000;
Nearly seven out of ten consumers (67%) who changed their eating habits as a result of their concern said they no longer used that food outlet, compared to 46% in 2000;
Almost two thirds (62%) of Welsh consumers’ concerns were about the cleanliness of the premises, staff or kitchen;
Just under one third (28%) were concerned about cross-contamination;
Concern about standards in mobile outlets has risen sharply - from 14% in 2000 to 24% in 2001;
Many incidences of food poisoning go unreported, with only 17% of respondents in Wales who had experienced illness reporting it to anyone. Of those who did, the largest single group (11%) went to their GP, 5% reported it to the outlet where they bought the food, and only 2% reported it to their local council or environmental health officer.

The catering sector (restaurants, cafés, takeaways and fast food outlets) is by far the largest employer in the food industry, with the UK’s 370,000 catering businesses employing approximately two million people.

The most recent statistics regarding the enforcement of food safety laws, published in July 2001, reveal that 118,555 restaurants and catering premises in the UK broke some food safety rules.

Joy Whinney, Director of the Food Standards Agency Wales, said: 'The Consumer Attitudes to Food survey reveals that the levels of reported food poisoning remain unacceptably high. Most cases are preventable through simple good hygiene practices like washing hands at regular intervals when preparing food.

'Consumers clearly expect the catering sector to raise their standards, and are refusing to return to catering outlets that they believe to be unhygienic.

'We welcome the support from the catering sector for this campaign, and recognise that there are high standards in many catering businesses. By working together, all catering outlets should be able to raise their standards to that of the very best practice that exists in the industry.

'The Agency campaign offers catering businesses a simple way to clean up their act, win back consumers and reduce incidents of food poisoning.'

Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services Jane Hutt added her support to the campaign today. Mrs Hutt said: 'Food poisoning is very unpleasant for those who suffer from it and has a direct impact upon our economy. Today's launch emphasises how important it is that the Agency meets its target of cutting incidents by 20% by 2006.'

Television, radio and print advertising in English and Welsh will target catering industry employees with the message 'For safer food and better business – Food safety, It's in your hands.'

The information pack will provide clear, basic hygiene advice for those working in the industry, based on four key messages:

Always wash your hands and keep them clean,
Avoid cross contamination of foods,
Chill food properly,
Cook food properly.

A dedicated campaign helpline has been set up: 0845 608 6089, (minicom: 0845 602 1419) with more information available on the Food Standards Agency website: www.food.gov.uk and information specifically for catering businesses available on the Food Hygiene Campaign microsite: www.food.gov.uk/cleanup

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Agency in Wales launches Food Hygiene Campaign

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