Licensees are being urged to check that the origin of produce used on their menu matches the menu description.
An investigation by Hampshire County Council in checks on 50 different dishes and products sold at 30 pubs, restaurants and butchers in the county, found that over one in four (26%) were marketed or sold with an incorrect origin claim.
Investigations are being coordinated by Local Government Regulation (LGR), the regulatory arm of the Local Government Association.
An investigation in June by Lancashire Trading Standards of businesses including pubs found 32 out of 41 premises checked made misleading claims about the food they served.
In the Hampshire investigation meat, fish, cheeses and ales checked by Trading Standards in Fareham, Havant, the New Forest and Test Valley were sourced from locations as far a field as Scotland and New Zealand and not home-grown in Hampshire.
Hampshire Trading Standards officers are now working with the businesses to improve their labelling so that customers know exactly where their food and drink is from.
Licensees can face prosecution over false menu claims under the Food Safety Act 1990.
Trading Standards pub checks revealed:
• A pub offering Hampshire fillet steak on their menus, which could not be
guaranteed by their supplier. The menu description has been changed to 'UK'.
• A site offering "Hampshire Ham" - supplied by local butcher, but origin
Scotland.
• A licensee offering "Dorset Sirloin Steak" - traced to Somerset.
• A pub offering a "Local cheeseboard" - not traceable — description removed
• A menu advertising pork with the specific name of a farm, but the company do
not actually rear pigs, only supply. Pub advised to remove claim.