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Bucks Free Press Midweek - 27 June 2006
Landlords, chefs and cooks in Wycombe have been told
to be extra careful when cooking for punters during the World
Cup, with experts predicting food poisoning cases are set
to soar.
Boffins at Shieldyourself, a top health and safety and food
safety consultancy, said 295 cases of food poisoning were
reported in the area last year, and this figure could rise
by up to 40 per cent because of the World Cup.
Mark Flanagan, Director of Shieldyourself, said: “There
is a huge temptation for those who are working either prior,
during or following the football match to have a ‘quick
pint’ and enjoy the game and the atmosphere while they
can. However, consuming any alcohol while being involved in
the preparation of food completely contravenes all health
and safety legislation relating to food preparation. Not only
could they potentially be a danger to themselves, but hygiene
levels are likely to be impaired, as is their judgement on
when the food is ready to be served. Employers must ensure
a zero tolerance policy on anybody found to be under the influence
of alcohol, or face the consequences when they are prosecuted
as a result of a food poisoning outbreak”.
In the UK there were 79,283 food poisoning cases reported
in 2005.
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