An anti-gastroenteritis campaign will run until February 14 to remind food operators and the public of the importance of hygiene.

Launched by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, the campaign will unfold in two phases. The first, running from tomorrow until December 14, will be educational.

Food operators will be advised, both by letter and through visits by health inspectors, of what measures to take to prevent viral gastroenteritis.

The enforcement phase will run from December 15 to February 14.

Health inspectors will take stringent action against all food premises that fail to observe required standards of cleanliness.

They will pay particular attention to irregularities like dirty food premises or food rooms, failure to protect food from the risk of contamination, dirty equipment or utensils, open food displays, dirty toilets or sanitary fixtures and failure to sterilise and store utensils properly.