Food Standards Agency Launches New Initiative

A personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell has welcomed the launch of a new hygiene rating scheme for restaurants and supermarkets which is designed to cut the number of cases of food poisoning.

The Food Standards Agency’s new scheme is being rolled out across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and will see stickers displayed at any place which serves or sells food to highlight the quality of standards on-site.

It comes after a snapshot poll by the body revealed that many people regard hygiene standards as more important than price or location when eating out.

Katrina Elsey, who specialises in injury and illness claims for Irwin Mitchell, said: “It is welcome news that this new scheme is now coming into force.

“Not only will it help diners and shoppers make more informed choices, it will also encourage eateries and shops to do their utmost to address hygiene standards and get their rating to the highest possible level.

“As a firm, we deal with so many cases which highlight devastating and occasionally life-changing impact which food poisoning can have on sufferers, from cases of salmonella to the most dangerous strain of E.coli.

“This new system could be a vital step towards dramatically reducing the number of people who face such problems every year.”