Food poisoning: do you know the numbers?

The Food Standards Agency  estimates that there are around 2.4 million cases of food poisoning in the UK each year – and up to 180 deaths.  Well over half of those cases result from either eating out or takeaway meals.

The new figure more than doubles previous FSA estimates and follows a five-year study.  The project used more in-depth research and data to better analyse the causes of illness.  In other words, people aren’t becoming more ill than they were, we just have better information on what caused them to become ill.

Of course, the hospitality industry has always taken this risk seriously.  If a diner becomes ill and a breach in food safety standards can be proven, restaurants may well be liable to pay compensation.  And who needs that additional liability in these already difficult times? And it’s not just your customers who could be at risk. With staff shortages rife across our industry just now, could you cope if one or two of your own staff were taken ill after eating on your premises?

So now is definitely the time to check that all your staff have the appropriate Food Safety qualifications.  We offer the full range of training programmes, from the Level 1 course for all employees handling low-risk food (such as wrapped or packed foods) up to the Level 3 and 4 for Supervisors and those with Managerial Responsibility, respectively.

I know that time is stretched at the moment but I really pride myself on the flexibility of courses that I offer.  As well as traditionally taught sessions, both public and in-house courses, I can also offer eLearning, Zoom remote learning and blended learning of the Level 3 courses to cut down on classroom time. (Do read my earlier article on mixed delivery, if you missed it, to help you decide what’s right for you.