The following is a highly debated question: who is responsible for food poisoning, the consumer or the manufacturer? Both parties play a part; the food may be wrongly distributed, but at the same time, the consumer might not have followed food safety rules, and they may not have cooked the produce properly. Both parties may seem on the same level of fault, but one certainly takes the cake for the higher responsibility.
Yes, the manufacturer must ensure the product is fit for distribution and consumption; however, the consumer must be wary of what they will be eating. In many cases, the consumer will immediately blame the manufacturer for distributing food that is not fit for eating and sue for damages. With enough evidence, the consumer might prove to be correct and receive compensation, but they must make sure they are correct and that the produce wasn’t to be sold for consumption to begin with.
Both parties must contribute; the product must be safe enough for the manufacturer to sell, and the consumer must follow the proper procedures to prepare and consume the product safely. In the case of food poisoning, the cause would have to be reviewed, and the one at blame would be determined; it really depends on the situation. Sometimes, the blame for the poisoning could go to the consumer; other times, it could go to the manufacturer.
I would say the party most at fault for food poisoning is the consumer; as mentioned before, they must follow the correct procedure to consume the food safely. If the food was bought poisoned, then the consumer must prove that it did; if incorrect, then the blame goes completely to the consumer since they did not prepare the food in a safe manner, as indicated by the Food and Drug Administration. Who’s at fault depends on the situation; one side isn’t going to get the full blame on all occasions.