We are actually retching at some of these findings.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has revealed that it received 3,202 complaints by consumers relating to food, food premises and food labelling in 2016.
The figure is a 17% increase on on 2015 when 2,739 complaints were received.
Some of the shocking complaints received in 2016 include foreign objects founds in food such as a live insect found in a packaged dessert a long black hair in garlic sauce a human nail in a takeaway meal; glass in a dessert; plastic rope in a takeaway meal; and a cigarette butt in a bag of chips.
Poor hygeine also ranked high with dirty customer toilets; rats seen on the premises; dirty tables and floors: and one case of a staff member at a deli sneezing into their hands and then preparing sandwiches without washing their hands. among the complaints received.
The overall figures for 2016 were broken down into:
- 1,126 complaints on unfit food
- 864 complaints on hygiene standards
- 741 complaints on suspect food poisoning
- 221 complaints on incorrect information on food labelling
- 60 complaints on non-display of allergen information
- 190 other
Edel Smyth, Information Manager, FSAI believes that a zero tolerance approach from customers is leading to more complaints:
“The statistics from our Advice Line service continue to show an upward trend with consumers expressing much more concern and being more conscious about the food they consume and are being increasingly vigilant about food safety issues.
There is a culture developing amongst consumers, which indicates zero tolerance towards poor hygiene standards and, in particular, food that is unfit to eat.
As consumers in Ireland become more vocal about the standards they expect from food establishments, we are seeing a welcomed increase in the level of complaints we receive directly from consumers.
We continue to encourage anyone who has had a bad food safety experience to report the matter to the FSAI so that the issue can be dealt with.”
Anyone else been put off eating out for a while?
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