Industry experts are predicting a dramatic rise in the number of cases of food poisoning if new EU plans to ease regulation are carried through.
Hundreds of pubs, cafes and restaurants would be freed from red tape controls under the EU plans to exempt food outlets with fewer than ten staff from statutory rules covering food hygiene, including temperature checks on fridges and freezers and maintenance of proper records.
It is thought that the move has sprung from a desire to help small businesses, but some experts are wary that the decision will be a step back for the hospitality industry.
Bob Cotton, head of the British Hospitality Industry, told the Times: "The European Commission is trying to deregulate to help small business but we don't understand the purpose of this legislation.
"A small backstreet burger bar can serve as many as 2,000 people in half a day. Do we want the possibility of poisoning 2,000 customers?"
A spokesman for the European Health Commissioner warned that small businesses will still be expected to comply with general food hygiene regulations.
