Pubs and restaurants could lose business without robust food safety culture

Pubs, restaurants and coffee shops reopening after lockdown face increased consumer concern over food safety and hygiene, the British Standards Institution (BSI) said today.

With tens of thousands of outlets expected to serve customers for the first time since Christmas from today, the BSI warned of a potential shift in confidence around food safety.

Consumer polling of 2,182 UK adults online, conducted by YouGov for BSI immediately after the Government’s Eat out To Help Out scheme, found that over half (53%) of consumers say they have become more conscious of food safety and hygiene at food outlets since the pandemic began.

Pubs, chain restaurants, and independent coffee shops and restaurants were the places that respondents were most concerned about.

Consumers indicated that this increased consciousness of food safety and hygiene would impact their choices going forward.