Weak name-and-shame laws prolong NSW food poisoning scandal

Dr Kaye said: "World-standard name-and-shame laws could slash the almost one million cases of food poisoning each year caused by NSW restaurant operators who cut corners.

"Food outlets must be required to prominently display their latest inspection certificate.

"Potential diners could then make up their own minds about the safety of the food they are about to consume.

"Restaurant operators would be under much greater pressure to conform to health and safety regulations if they knew every diner would be able to read a list of their breaches.

"If NSW Food Minister Ian Macdonald were serious about reducing the appalling rate of non-compliance, he would do more than just boast about his name-and-shame website.

"While listing infringement notices and prosecutions on the internet is an important step forward, it does nothing to protect casual diners.

"Minister Macdonald continues to deny NSW restaurant goers the same standard of information about their choice of outlet enjoyed in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.

"Each year almost 6,000 hospitalisations in NSW are caused by food-related illnesses.

"The suffering, inconvenience and economic losses could be dramatically reduced if the Rees government required full on-site disclosure of all breaches," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455