Food regulation and product liability

The Consumer Protection Act 1987 and EU legislation imposes strict product liability on manufacturers for harm caused by defective products that they produce.

Products include food and goods used in the workplace. The 1999 Directive also extends coverage to food sold in its raw state. Read more about the Act at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

Food manufacturers that supply unsafe food are committing an offence and putting consumers at a greater health risk than they would by supplying incorrect packaging or pricing. Product liability laws state that a consumer has the right to expect that the food they purchase is safe to eat.

In light of the BSE beef scandal, and earlier salmonella and e-coli outbreaks, invigilating bodies are more careful than ever to make sure that food health and safety standards are properly adhered to.

The Food Standards Agency (www.food.gov.uk) and the Department of Trade and Industry (www.dti.gov.uk) work together on common interests implementing and enforcing EU legislation relating to food safety.

Correct information about food
Product liability legislation states that misleading details that misrepresent food are not allowed. Creating a false impression, giving incorrect information, leaving out information and making false claims are considered to be deceptive.

Correct labelling is the responsibility of the manufacturer and is essential so that the consumer knows what they are buying and what is inside the package.

If the name of a drink, for example, implies there are three different types of fruit in the bottle and there are not, this is misrepresentation. Labels with pictures that give the wrong impression about the contents of the product are also unacceptable.

Product liability compensation
What looks like an innocent food item can cause serious food poisoning and disease if left untreated. If you, or anybody in your family, is sick as a result of having eaten unsafe or contaminated food, the manufacturer of the product is responsible under product liability law.

We are experts in personal injury cases of this kind and our panel of expert personal injury solicitors have an excellent claim success rate. We don't charge a single penny for any of our services and, unlike a number of other claims firms, will even allow you to keep 100% of any compensation awarded.

If you feel you are in a position to make a product liability claim, pick up the phone and call us now on 0800 10 757 95.

Neither the call nor the claim will cost you a thing and our specialist claims team will answer any questions you may have.

So get dialling today. It could be the most important phone call you will ever make.