FSA campaign slammed as "offensive"

A cryptic new marketing initiative by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that has seen restaurateurs being sent sick bags to highlight food safety issues has been branded "offensive and misguided" by the Restaurant Association.

Ian McKerracher, chief executive of the association, was furious to discover a number of his members had received sick bags through the post from the agency.

He told caterer.com: "Sending sick bags to restaurants is misguided and it is offensive.

"They are giving out a message that if we eat in their restaurant we are going to be sick. It is not clever and I can think of much better ways for the FSA of spending their money."

But the food safety watchdog was today standing by its campaign, hinting the sick bags were just a part of the initiative.

"There is a wait and see on this one," said a spokeswoman. "It is something that we are in the process of doing."

All would be revealed, to both restaurateurs and the public, next week, she added.

by Samantha McClary and Nic Paton

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