Report food hygiene problems

To report a food complaint or an issue with a food premises, please contact the Public Protection Service using the details on this page.

We'll need the following details:

• The nature of the problem
• If it's a hygiene issue, you'll need to send us the name and address of the business
• A description of the affected food, along with its date code or batch number, if appropriate
• Your name, email address and contact number

If there's an imminent risk of injury to health we can close a premises until the problems are dealt with.

Food complaints we will investigate

Not all of the following pose a risk to public health or safety. We will assess each complaint to determine the most appropriate course of action.

• Food poisoning outbreaks or any food which may have caused food poisoning
• Unfit or grossly contaminated food
• Foods containing foreign objects, for example, metal or glass. Please see the page on 'foreign bodies in food'.
• Foods that have passed their 'use by date'
• Dirty conditions
• Evidence of pests, for example, rats, mice, cockroaches
• Poor food handling practices
• Build-up of rubbish

Handling your food complaint

Please note we can't negotiate compensation for complaints on your behalf. Our investigations only cover the criminal aspect of each case and not civil liabilities.

In cases where your food hygiene complaint is not a risk to public health or safety, you may be able to resolve it by contacting the owner of the food business yourself and discussing your concerns with them directly. They may not be aware of the issue and may be prepared to carry out their own internal investigation.

Remember the following when dealing with food complaints:

• Avoid handling foreign objects. If they're embedded in the food, don't move them.
• Keep the food in its original container where possible.
• Keep any wrappings and labels.
• If the food is perishable, keep it in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Keep any receipts as proof of purchase.