Food complaints

Part of: Food hygiene

Contents

If you are not happy with an item of food or drink, you should first contact the shop, manufacturer, or supplier where you bought it.

The Council will only deal with food complaints that pose a serious risk to public health, for example:

  • Food unfit for human consumption
  • Food containing a foreign object which poses a serious health risk (e.g. glass, metal)
  • An allergen-free meal that has caused an allergic reaction
  • Food containing insects or other matter suggesting a problem at the place of retail sale or manufacture

You can find more information in our common food complaints guide.

We can only investigate complaints about hygiene standards in food businesses and food purchased from businesses based in Trafford.

Complaint options

Deal with the food supplier directly

  • For non-pre-packed fresh foods, return the food to the shop where it was purchased and ask to see the person in charge.
  • For pre-packed foods, contact the manufacturer. The contact details should be on the package. 

If you are not satisfied with the response, notify our team with details of your progress. At this stage, we may only be able to write to the company in the hope that this may encourage them to answer you.

Ask the Environmental Health Team to investigate

If there is a risk to public health (as detailed above), you can make a complaint to our Environmental Health team.

If your complaint warrants investigation, we will contact or visit the premises concerned at a minimum. You will be informed if the officer intends to take no further action.

To proceed, you'll need to sign a release form and agree to accept our final decision after investigation. You will also be asked to provide a witness statement. The Council cannot negotiate compensation on your behalf.

Private legal action

If you want to take private legal action, discuss this matter with a Solicitor. You should:

  • Keep the food, any wrappings and labels, and the receipt safe
  • Keep the food in its original container where possible
  • Avoid handling foreign objects. If they are embedded in the food, do not displace them
  • Keep perishable foods in the fridge or freezer

Complain about food hygiene standards

If you have concerns about food handling practices or standards of cleanliness at a food business in Trafford, contact our Environmental Health team.

Things you should report:

  • Shops regularly selling perishable food past its 'Use By' date
  • Witnessing a member of staff in the food business sneezing and then not washing their hands (please also bring this to the attention of the management of the premises)

Do not report:

  • Shops that clearly label but continue to sell food beyond its 'Best Before' date
  • Staff who are not wearing gloves or head coverings (unless you also witness poor personal hygiene)
  • Staff not using different coloured chopping boards (unless using the same boards for raw and cooked foods)