Only three-quarters of people in Scotland who experienced food poisoning last year actually reported it

Dr George Paterson, FSA

Of the 32,160 inspected by environmental health officers from local councils, some 11,901 were found to have committed hygiene offences. The bulk of these - 7,781 - were classed as restaurants and catering establishments

The figures prompted a sharp response from Dr George Paterson, director of the Food Standards Agency in Scotland.

"Consumers are entitled to eat out safely. Whether it's a quick bite to eat in a caf� or a meal at a top class hotel, everyone deserves to be able to enjoy their food without fear of falling ill," he said.

"A food hygiene failure rate of one-third for restaurants and other catering establishments is simply unacceptable.

'High standards'

"Many premises do have a high standards but those standards should apply equally across the country. That is why we will be working closely with the catering industry as part of our campaign to drive up hygiene standards.

"We will also continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure they use their extensive powers to inspect premises and take the necessary action against those which are not up to scratch.

Many restaurants broke hygiene laws

"Consumers have an important role to play too. Only three-quarters of people in Scotland who experienced food poisoning last year actually reported it.

"We want to see far more people reporting illness or poor standards to their local environmental health department."

The Food Standard Agency published a Consumer Attitudes Survey earlier this year, which showed that 70% of people in Scotland regularly or occasionally ate out.

It also showed that 13% had experienced food poisoning in the last 12 months, and that 74% of those who suffered food poisoning did not report it to anyone.