Diners say: 'Burger off? I'll just go elsewhere'

Bloody burger lovers today insisted customers should be able to choose how their meat is cooked.

Phillip Rowntree, 25, a theatre producer from Battersea, said he nearly always ordered his burgers rare and would be “affronted” if a restaurant refused to serve him one.

He added: “I think we should have a choice. You know that if you are going to eat a rare burger it’s not going to be cooked through, but that’s what you are choosing to have. Some people like meat that’s raw. I’m a big fan of blue steaks for example.

“I don’t think the council has a right to do this. It’s not a health issue as temperature is enough to cook off most bacteria. People have been eating rare meat for centuries.

“It will also have a detrimental effect on restaurants in the borough – they should not be forced to turn down trade. If I can’t get a rare burger here, I will go elsewhere.”

College catering assistant Teresa Pledger, 46, from Grays in Essex, said: “We like rare meat so I would potentially order one. It seems a bit odd being told what you can and can’t have.

“If you are paying money, you should be able to decide to have what you want. People have been doing it for years.

“Health and safety has never been a problem before. It’s too much control for the council to say what you can and can’t have unless they can provide a reason why.

“I think it will harm restaurants in the area. You would just go somewhere that would do rare burgers.”

Quentin Casey, 35, a painter from Chadwell Heath in Essex, agreed the decision should be up to the individual, adding: “You are paying for it at the end of the day.

“Unless you go to a place where know the choice will not be yours, it should be up to you. Adults can make their own decisions.”

Teacher Luke Fisher, 30, from Putney, said he would never order a rare burger but stressed customers should have the option.