Pubs pose health risk says new survey
One pub in ten poses a 'significant risk' to public health due to poor food hygiene standards, says a shock new survey.
The majority of pubs and clubs, six in every ten, present a 'minor risk', according to environmental health officers (EHOs) who carried out spot checks on food storage and handling.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to invest an additional £1m in food handling training for small businesses in response to the findings.
Local authorities across the UK carried out random checks on thousands of food premises, including 328 pubs, on behalf of the FSA ,between July and November last year.
EHOs were asked to look at basic food hygiene practice in each outlet. This included assessing the storage of chilled and frozen food, food washing and preparation, and overall staff hygiene including hand washing. Premises were also checked for general cleanliness and signs of infestation by pest,
The findings, published by the FSA in its UK Survey of Hygiene Standards in Food Premises 2005, put 9.6 per cent of pubs and clubs as a significant risk to public health, and another 61 per cent as a minor risk.
Pubs came third in the league table of shame, with the biggest concerns raised by take-aways, where 18.5 per cent were a significant risk, followed by restaurants and cafes at 12.4 per cent.
Steve Schaffer, catering development manager for Punch Taverns, the largest pub operator in the country, said: "Food is an increasingly important part of a pub's offer and although it is our retailers' sole responsibility, there is a basic food hygiene module in our award winning Modern Licensed Retailer course, which is compulsory for all new Punch retailers.
"If any pub licensee requires additional guidance we would recommend contacting the local environmental health officer for advice.
"On the managed side of our estate, we strive to deliver a great quality meal deal to customers, using a supply base that delivers consistently high quality food into our outlets. "
The FSA stressed that the findings were followed up by enforcement notices, cautions or written advice to all premises found to be a danger. The additional £1m funding will go into pool of cash given to local authorities by the FSA to provide training and information.
