If you have complaints about any of the following contact the Food and Safety Unit.

Dirty food premises or unsafe food

Food businesses should be clean and the food safe to eat and free from foreign bodies.

Food quality or descriptions

Food should be accurately described and of suitabile quality. It is an offence to mislead you about quantity, composition or price.

Out of date food

• Display until is the date used by shops to help with stock rotation. It is not an offence to sell something after this date. The food will normally have a second type of date marked for customer's use.
• Best before is the date after which food may begin to deteriorate in quality. It is not an offence to sell food after this date as long as the food is still of good quality.
• Use By is the date by which food must be consumed to ensure it is still safe. It is illegal to sell food beyond this date. Sale on the day of expiry is acceptable.

How to deal with a complaint yourself

We will investigate your complaint but you must have all your evidence (receipts, packaging, the food itself etc). If your evidence leaves your possession this may prevent us from being able to take further action.

If you prefer to deal with a complaint yourself we recommend you:

Step 1 - Go back to the trader and explain your problem

Take along copies of evidence you have, such as receipts and packaging, but keep the originals. If possible, take a photograph of any food or foreign bodies and then store them in the freezer.

Step 2 - Put your complaint in writing

Keep a copy of the letter and send by recorded delivery. In you letter explain the complaint and the action you would like the trader to take to solve the problem.

Step 3 - Contact us

If you are still not satisfied contact the Food and Safety Unit