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A woman has recently been awarded £1.2 million compensation after suffering salmonella food poisoning and developing reactive arthritis, which has left her in constant pain.
The customer ate in a Chinese restaurant in October 2000. After this meal she suffered salmonella food poisoning, which resulted in the debilitating illness. The restaurant has since closed and admitted liability for causing the salmonella infection.
It is also highly likely that the Local Authority prosecuted the restaurant for food hygiene offences after the source of the illness was confirmed. Each food hygiene offence carries a fine of £20 000 (unlimited in Crown Court) and imprisonment.
The restaurant in question is no longer trading.
This case highlights the importance of maintaining excellent food hygiene standards at all times within the kitchen. To assist this a comprehensive food safety system should be developed and implemented from purchasing to service to ensure that standards are maintained. This should include supplier verification systems, checks on food quality and safety on delivery, continual temperature control checks and maintaining the temperature control chain. Effective training of all food handlers will also assist in maintaining these standards. Staff within the restaurant should have an understanding of bacteria and their requirements for growth, sources and how to ensure that food served is not contaminated. A documented system should be developed to highlight the control points for the production of food and those which are critical for food safety, such as refrigeration, cooking, cooling and reheating. The temperatures at these critical stages should be recorded regularly throughout the day. Cleanliness and food storage are also critical in ensuring food safety and to reduce the risk of pest infestation. Food should be stored in a safe manner and effective stock rotation carried out so that all food is disposed of before it has expired.
If this sounds complicated, hard work or confusing Perry Scott Nash Associates, qualified and experienced Environmental Health Consultants, can assist you with the development and implementation of Food Safety Policies and Practices. We are also capable of delivering effective training to staff and completing regular audits to ensure that standards are being maintained. All this for much less than £1.2 million !!!
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