We all know that it can be a bit of a task to find a restaurant suitable for your baby to dine with you. Babies are noisy and messy; a fact which many restaurant-goers can often take offence to. So it’s nice to find a good restaurant with facilities like high chairs and baby changing rooms to accommodate for your needs. But be afraid – in fact, be very afraid – at this next report from the Daily Mail, as the facilities the restaurants are kind enough to provide may actually be putting your baby at risk…
According to the report (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1319401/And-baby-comes–But-watch–restaurant-high-chairs-harbour-bacteria-average-toilet-seat.html), restaurant high chairs harbour more bacteria than the average toilet seat, according to concerning research from Microban, a leading brand of anti-bacterial products. Swabs from high chairs in 30 different restaurants found that the average number of bacteria on a high chair was 147 per square centimetre. Compare this to the average toilet seat, which has just 8 per square centimetre, and you’ve got yourself a concerning comparison.
The results reportedly varied considerably, with some being relatively clean, and others as high as 1,200 bacteria per square centimetre! I’m no microbiologist – but look at the comparison between a toilet seat with 8 bacteria per square centimetre, and a baby’s high chair with 1,200 bacteria per square centimetre, and try not to share the look of absolute shock I have on my face right now! The research also found bacteria such as E-coli, Staph Aureus and Enterococcus Faecalis – all of which can cause upset stomachs and serious illness to babies and children.
The report also outlines the obvious fact that children are more messy, and are far more inclined to eat food with their hands, meaning bacteria is more easily spread about. Parents are naturally being warned to ensure any high chairs they use are thoroughly cleaned before use. The high levels of bacteria found where evident on even the cleanest looking chairs, as many often have visible stains still on them.
To add to the concern, the report goes on to say that this isn’t the first time the hygiene and cleanliness of a high chairs has been brought in to question – a study in 2007 indicated that 60% of high chair food trays in the common household were home to Coliforms – defined as bacteria that indicates contamination from faecal matter, raw mean, soil, or unwashed vegetables . Scary stuff…
All restaurants and eateries have an important duty of care to ensure that they do not cause their customers to come to harm. This duty extends to all business and public places – but the importance of it in restaurants, cafes, diners, takeaways etc is even more important; the stuff they are selling to us is going in to our bodies! It’s a scary story to read about as we all put our trust in to these types of establishments, and we trust that they will keep items such as high chairs clean!
If you are ever injured or receive an illness from the poor hygiene of a restaurant or a cafe, you may be entitled to claim for compensation. Speak to an expert firm of specialist personal injury lawyers for the best advice on whether you have a claim to pursue!
