Johnny is face of food hygiene

He may not be the first person that springs to mind when it comes to health issues, but Johnny Vegas is fronting a new campaign to promote food hygiene.

The stand-up, known for his ITV Digital ads alongside a stuffed monkey, is the face of a new website aimed at cutting food poisoning.

He has even been made into a video game hero, as he tries to avoid killer bacteria.

Vegas also appears in a number of short films on the government-backed website www.good2eat.info, giving dos and don'ts about food preparation.

There are also desktop patterns and screensavers to download.

The heavy-drinking comic said: "I might not seem like the natural first choice for a food hygiene initiative, but I think that's why I was approached in the first place.

"I love food but I was shocked to hear that so many people are ill each year because they don't take food hygiene seriously."

Up to 4.5 million people suffer food poisoning each year, and nearly 300 die as a result.

Around one in five people aged 16 to 25 believe they suffered a dodgy stomach in the past year due to food poisoning.

Vegas added: "I suppose when you're 18, food hygiene is not exactly high on your list of priorities. I didn't give it much thought when I was younger and I guess I'm lucky to have escaped with just the odd dicky tummy

"If I can encourage people to do the simple things, like washing their hands properly before preparing food, then that's great."

Published: 15 Apr 2002