Brits take food chances

British people worry about food poisoning when abroad but eat risky foods anyway, according to a report just published.

The survey, by food hygiene specialist Cristal International, reveals that 59% of Britons are worried about contracting food poisoning, compared with 22% of Germans. Yet, although 43% of Germans avoid typically risky foods, only 14% of Britons do the same.

Cristal questioned 100 people in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff and a further 100 people in the German cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Cologne. All had visited the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Caribbean or India in the past three years.

Two-thirds said that, if they were to become ill, they would be unlikely ever to revisit the country.

Eight out of 10 said they would avoid the hotel or restaurant they believed was responsible. Almost half agreed they would complain directly to the hotel or restaurant, while 56% said they would report the matter to the tour operator.

A total of 86% admitted they are less tolerant of poor hygiene abroad today than they used to be in the past.