Consumer fears over dirty delis and sandwich bars

CONSUMERS are worried over hygiene standards in Ireland’s sandwich bars and lunchtime delicatessens, research has revealed.

Yesterday, food safety chiefs admitted they were also concerned over cleanliness after a sharp rise last year in clean-up orders slapped on food outlets.

Now the Safefood hygiene promotion board is urging consumers to complain in shops if they spot dirt or see health risks like raw food stored next to cooked produce.

Safefood boss Martin Higgins said: “Consumers should not settle for anything other than the highest standards and should speak out. The entire catering industry has a responsibility to meet the highest possible food safety and hygiene standards.”

Last year, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland closed 37 food businesses, told a further five to shape up and stopped 15 more from selling contaminated food and drink. The number of enforcement orders in 2007 was 57, an increase of 54% on the 37 dished out the year before by the authority.

Research for Safefood’s Speak Out campaign shows one-in-three consumers is concerned about hygiene in lunchtime sandwich bars.

Among the worries cited was the cleanliness of the premises, kitchens and staff.

Safefood launched its Speak Out campaign last year, urging diners in restaurants, takeaways and pubs to complain if they get bad food or spot hygiene hazards. Now Safefood is focusing on sandwich bars after research showed that, of the 61% of people surveyed who purchase their lunch daily, just over two-fifths opt for a sandwich.

“Half of consumers are reluctant to speak out if they were unhappy with food hygiene standards,” said Mr Higgins. “But in the last six months we have seen a positive shift in consumers’ attitudes as more people feel empowered to speak out if they are not happy. We would like to see this trend continue as, ultimately, consumer demand for proper hygiene standards will result in improvements.”

* www.safefood.eu