'60% of diners believe they have the right to know provenance of food'

Restaurants unable to answer questions about where their food comes from risk being boycotted by diners, according to new research published by the RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme.

A third of the population would boycott a restaurant that could not answer a question about where they source their products.

Nearly 60% of us also think we have a right to know the origin of our food when eating out.

Top chefs such as Raymond Blanc, Peter Gordon, Martin Lam, Paul Merrett and Antony Worrall-Thompson agreed saying: "The British public need to stop being so reticent in restaurants and start asking where their food comes from. It's your right to know the origin of the food you are served and what types of farms are being used - and the mark of a good restaurant is one that is proud to tell you."

Freedom Food has launched a new long-term campaign called 'Simply Ask' which aims to get people asking about where the food comes from when eating out.

Beginning with eggs this year, 'Simply Ask' will urge people to start holding restaurants to account by demanding to know if they use eggs from hens that have not been kept in cages.

Freedom Food is also asking restaurants, pubs and cafes already using cage-free eggs to support 'Simply Ask'.

More than 500 have already signed up including all National Trust restaurants and tea-rooms, Sainsbury's in-store restaurants, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage canteens and restaurant chains Giraffe and Leon.

Words: Clare Riley

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