A new campaign has begun to encourage consumers to demand high food hygiene standards from restaurants and takeaway food counters.
Safe Food started the public awareness campaign yesterday with the aim of raising the overall standard of food hygiene in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Research carried out by the organisation shows that 53 per cent of people feel reluctant to speak out if they are unhappy with food hygiene standards, according to Safe Food chief executive Martin Higgins.
However, he said, two-thirds of diners say they would not return to a restaurant if they had a bad experience with food hygiene and they would tell others of their experience.
"We've all had the experience of complaining about food but then, when asked, telling the waiter that everything's okay. But as consumers, we can play our part in ensuring high standards and this campaign will focus on educating and enabling consumers to trust their own instincts and make informed choices," Mr Higgins said.
Some 273 closure orders have been served on food premises since 2000. Mr Higgins said that while standards in the catering industry were generally high, there were concerns over the sustained levels of closure.
He advised diners to check the overall cleanliness of an establishment, especially the tables, before dining. The state of the toilets was also often a good guide to the cleanliness of the kitchens.
