Multi-lingual courses aimed at cutting the number of cases of food poisoning are being run by Bradford Council.

The courses are in English, Asian and Chinese languages for restaurateurs, cafe, takeaway and food shop owners.

The Council's environmental protection department has organised the courses as a result of new legislation.

This requires all food businesses to carry out some form of assessment of the hazards associated with their businesses and the implications for food safety.

Councillor Barry Midwood, chairman of the housing and environmental protection committee, said: "These workshops are specifically designed to help the food industry in Bradford to comply with the regulations.

"Environmental health officers will be looking to see that food businesses have assessed the hazards and that they have controls in place which will make sure food produced in Bradford is safe to eat.

"I cannot over-emphasise the importance of food safety. In the light of the recent tragedies in Scotland it is important that we work together with the business community to secure the safety of the food eaten in the district."

A series of courses in Chinese are now being held and more than 150 people involved in food businesses from across West Yorkshire have signed up to attend.

A course for people whose first language is one of the Asian languages will be held on Tuesday, April 28, with further dates to be arranged.

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