INDIAN restaurant and take away owners in Wychavon are delivering some of the highest food safety standards in the country thanks to an award-winning training scheme.

Chefs and owners from Indian food businesses across the district took part in a special seminar at the Civic Centre in Pershore on Thursday (August 18) focusing on a range of food and health and safety issues.

The event was developed with support from community leaders and the Bangladesh Caterers Association. It was one of six held across the county and run by Worcestershire Regulatory Services, which looks after environmental health on behalf of Wychavon. To help understanding, the seminars are delivered in both English and Sylheti.

The aim is to help Indian businesses better understand Food Information Regulations and their responsibilities regarding allergens in food, following the death of a man in North Yorkshire from anaphylactic shock in January 2014 after eating a curry containing peanuts. The owner of the business that served the curry was jailed for six years for manslaughter in May this year.

Those who attended the seminar were presented with certificates and a list of top tips to display in kitchens.

The seminars have attracted interest from across the country and been attended by officials from national online ordering service Just Eat, as well as winning a Better Business for All Innovation Award in March.

Councillor Emma Stokes, board member for Environment and Street Scene at Wychavon District Council, said: “Our Indian food businesses are already delivering some of the highest food safety standards in the country, but we know they were concerned about the impact of the new Food Information Regulations on allergens, which present a real challenge to small businesses.

“We know business owners value the advice given to help them change menu descriptions and current working practices to meet the new legal requirements.

“The level of participation by the community shows they are keen to do things well and we strongly believe one of the reasons for the success of this scheme is the input of local community leaders.”