The food safety industry has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. As consumers look for more information on where their food comes from and how it’s prepared, restaurants have been forced to step up their game to guarantee that they’re serving safe food to their customers. 

There are many risks associated with preparing and serving food – especially since many illnesses are caused by negligent handling of raw ingredients (like undercooked meat) or cross-contamination during preparation (such as washing hands before touching ready-to-eat foods). To protect against these risks and make sure you’re covered in case something goes wrong, having foodborne illness insurance can be a smart decision for any hospitality business owner.

Foodborne illness insurance is a type of general liability policy that protects you and your business in the event that a customer becomes sick after eating at your restaurant or bar. This can include symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Generically called “food-related illness” coverage, this type of insurance is typically purchased by restaurants, bars, and caterers because they have more exposure than other types of businesses to foodborne illnesses.

Who is eligible for coverage?

• If you own or manage a restaurant, food truck, catering business, or another establishment where food is served to the public.
• Your employees. If you have any employees who work in your restaurant and handle food directly with customers (e.g., servers).
• Your clients. If your business provides catering services for other restaurants or businesses that serve food in their facilities.
• Farmers and producers of fresh produce sell their products directly to consumers through farmers’ markets or other outlets (e.g., CSA farms). These farmers are also eligible for coverage if they transport their produce by car between farms and markets/retailers where they sell it on a regular basis—for example weekly delivery of tomatoes from the farm to local supermarkets.”

Foodborne illness insurance can protect you from lawsuits and lost profits.

Foodborne illness insurance can protect you from lawsuits and lost profits.

This type of insurance protects your restaurant from being held liable for damages, like medical bills and lost wages, that result from a foodborne illness. If someone gets sick at your establishment and blames the meal they ate there for their illness, it can cost you thousands of dollars to defend yourself in court. Foodborne illness insurance will cover the costs associated with defending yourself against these types of lawsuits and settlements.

Food poisoning is not only unpleasant for its victims; it also causes a loss in business as customers avoid eating at restaurants that have had an outbreak or are suspected of having contaminated food on their menus. In some cases, restaurants have been forced to close temporarily because of contamination scares. 

Don’t take the chance. Purchase foodborne illness insurance so you can protect yourself and your business from lawsuits and lost profits if someone gets sick after eating at your restaurant or bar.