The country's biggest independent stock auditors says food operators risk losing their reputations - and their businesses - if they ignore food safety issues.
The warning from Venners comes as operators are increasingly under the microscope for hygiene with the national roll-out of Scores on the Doors and increased media interest.
For example, BBC's Rogue Restaurants highlighted hygiene breaches at pubs owned by major operators.
Stuart Knill, health and safety general manager at Venners, said: "In these difficult trading times you can't afford to give customers any reason not to visit your establishment. In fact you need to give them every reason to visit.
"In the hospitality industry food safety is paramount as is customers' confidence in your establishment's ability to serve food safely. If you are unaware of industry standards and/or whether you business is achieving them, you put at risk your hard earned reputation, your custom and at worst your business.
"Ask yourself, would your business survive close scrutiny by an environmental health officer? And if you are unsure I recommend you either get in touch with us or another reputable and proven food safety consultancy service - you can't afford not to."
Venners is part of Christie + Co's parent company Christie Group.
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