Has the BBC’s Food Inspectors given you food for thought?

We haven’t watched the Food Inspector programmes – largely because a constant diet of Which? material gives us all we need to know about dodgy hygiene practices in the food industry. Moreover, I’m not sure that the “Watchdog” style of programme with its mixed-up editing and jokey presentation are consistent with the seriousness of the isuue, although it probably appeals to a wide audiece who might otherwise be unaware of what goes on.

Wavechange – how do you manage to insinuate italic script into your posts occasionally? Very useful in certain situations and much nicer than capital letters.

I watched a programme this week where a frustrated hygiene inspector made repeated visits to a fast food outlet that kept failing to introduce corrective measures requested – no sink for washing hands that was separate from food, staff not sent on hygiene courses when requested, premises and utensils not disinfected, (staff who did not know what disinfectant was), etc. Neither the staff nor manager showed any enthusiasm for raising their standards. Assuming it was not staged you are left wondering why the premises was not closed until all their issues were addressed – then monitored to ensure it stayed safe.
Is there a legal problem with Councils not being able to close unsatisfactory restaurants, food shops and outlets? Or are they just unwilling to face that sanction. It seems to me by not so doing they are putting consumers at risk.