This summer's Olympic Games will be the world's largest peacetime catering operation, with more than 14 million meals served across 40 locations. As well as on-site catering, the thousands of extra people in London and other host towns around the country will mean a huge step up in operations for many of the food businesses in and around these areas.
As Head of Enforcement for the Food Standards Agency, which is responsible for safeguarding the public's health in relation to food, I've been part of a team tackling a huge challenge over the past months and years: to make sure that Games visitors have a positive food experience this summer. So how has this work helped businesses to prepare? And how can the public ensure that the food they eat is the best it can be?
As well as having to cater for many more customers, some food businesses have had other challenges to think about. Those located near Olympic sites may have transport issues to contend with, meaning that getting stock delivered could be more difficult than usual and increasing the temptation to stockpile food. They may also be planning to take on extra staff, and training them in the necessary standards before they start serving the public. In the immediate run-up to the Games, the FSA's preparations have included an increase in restaurant inspections and special training to particularly focus on businesses that need extra support.
I recently visited a restaurant specializing in Brazilian food in the London borough of Tower Hamlets that was a great example of a business that has thought through its Olympic preparations. The borough is expecting to see 300,000 visitors per day during the Games, creating an enormous knock-on effect to all businesses in the area. The owner had recognized the challenges of this extra trade and had acted in the months beforehand to raise his establishment's food hygiene rating to 5, the best rating possible. Safe in the knowledge that his business is equipped to handle the extra pressure, he is now looking forward to a profitable summer.
When eating out this summer, we recommend looking for a food hygiene rating sticker in the window of any business that sells food. The Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme, which is being rolled out across the country, uses distinctive green and black stickers which rate businesses from 0-5.
If you can't see a sticker, take a closer look at the food business - is it generally clean? Is food being stored properly? If you don't trust the business, go somewhere else. Remember: even if the food you buy looks safe, it may not have been stored properly before you purchased it, so it's important to look at the surroundings, not just the food itself.
For visitors to the Games, the FSA's work should go completely un-noticed - we certainly don't believe that visitors face a significant risk of food poisoning. It's just about taking sensible precautions at a time when food businesses are going to be under added pressure.
It's important for visitors to take a closer look at their food and how it's prepared, in order to give themselves the best possible defence against having a bad experience. It means that visitors can get on with enjoying every aspect of London 2012.
Tips for visitors this summer
Keep it clean
Travelling around a city can be a bit of a dirty business. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching, cooking or eating food (and always after using the toilet). If washing facilities are thin on the ground, consider using hand wipes or hand gels.
Is it rated?
Local authorities run various hygiene rating schemes that can help you to choose food outlets with good hygiene standards. Look out for stickers on the doors or windows of outlets you are planning to visit, or check ratings using the link below.
Check it out
If you can't see a hygiene rating sticker, take a look at the staff, equipment and premises. Do they look clean? If food is out on display, is the cold food kept refrigerated? Is raw food separated from cooked food? If you ordered hot food, is it hot and cooked all the way through? If you have any doubts about any of these things, try somewhere else.
Be allergen aware
Not knowing exactly what's in your food could result in a serious allergic reaction. Always read the labelling and check the ingredient list on pre-packed food. Check for allergy advice statements or boxes. This labelling isn't compulsory in the UK, so if there isn't a warning statement don't assume the product is safe for you to eat. If buying non pre-packed food from self-service counters, delicatessens or cafes, ask the serving staff for information and let them know you have a food allergy or intolerance. And if you aren't sure about a food or confident in the information you've been given by serving staff, don't risk it.
Report any incidents
If you do fall ill and you suspect that food you've eaten is responsible, report it immediately to the NHS or your local council.