Cafés 'should have hygiene MOT'

There are few rules on who can and cannot open food outlets

All new cafes and restaurants should be required to have a hygiene MOT before they are allowed to open, according to environmental health officers.

They believe the measure could help to cut food poisoning rates.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's conference in Belfast heard that the current rules were failing to protect customers.

Officials said they would lobby the government to have the law changed and for more checks to be introduced.

Health dangers

Jenny Morris, the institute's policy officer, said changes were needed.

"The situation we have at the moment is unacceptable and poses real dangers to public health.

I think we would be quite happy with it Spokesman, Restaurant Association

"Several million people suffer from food poisoning every year and many cases involve food prepared outside the home.

"Anyone can open almost any kind of food business without any training or knowledge of hygiene and safety regulations."

Mr Morris said that at the moment new cafes and restaurants could only be inspected once they had opened. She suggested this was too late.

"It's not enough for local authorities to be able to take enforcement action once these businesses are up and running.

"Our ultimate aim is for a system of licensing to cover all food premises.

"However, as an interim measure that would go a considerable way towards protecting consumers, we are calling for the introduction of a system where food businesses must obtain the approval of their local authority before they start trading.

"The prior approval system would require businesses to comply with hygiene and safety regulations before they open.

"New businesses would need to ensure that they provide appropriate facilities and suitably trained staff and that they have undertaken an analysis of the hazards and put in place appropriate control measures."

Ms Morris said the measure would protect consumers and also reduce costs for local authorities.

"As well as the benefits for public health, this should reduce the need for local authorities to take lengthy and costly enforcement action against new businesses and free up resources to undertake other activities."

Law change

The institute has joined forces with the Consumers Association, the Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services to lobby ministers for a change in the law.

The Restaurant Association welcomed the proposal.

"I think we would be quite happy with it," a spokesman told BBC News Online.

"We want every restaurant to abide by all of the rules and regulations and I would have thought a pre-opening inspection would be helpful.

"I think a wise person coming into the business would already do this."