Report a food safety or hygiene complaint
We monitor food safety and food hygiene in Swindon. We look into reports where we have the legal powers and enough information to act.
You can report concerns about food, food businesses, food hygiene, food labelling, food poisoning, food waste, or an unregistered food business.
What we can help with
We deal with reports about food hygiene and food standards.
Food hygiene
Food hygiene covers how food is prepared, stored, handled, served and sold.
This includes:
- food microbiology
- food premises, including manufacturers, shops, storage sites and other food businesses
- food storage, production, service and sale
- people who prepare, handle, distribute, serve or sell food
Food standards
Food standards are the trading standards part of food safety.
This includes:
- ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates
- food labelling, including wording, quantities and clarity
- ingredients and food composition
- allergen information
- food quality and unfit food
- claims, marketing and advertising about food
- food descriptions and true names
- food fraud
- imported foods
Before you report a problem
We cannot deal with every report, but the information you give us can still help. We may use it when we next inspect the business.
How we investigate depends on:
- the type of problem
- the information you give us
- whether we have had similar reports
The report forms ask for details about your complaint. If we cannot deal with it in Swindon, the form may help us give you more relevant information.
We cannot get you a refund or deal with compensation claims.
Report a problem with a food product
Use this option if there is a problem with food you have bought or been served.
This could include:
- a foreign object in food, such as glass, mould, hair or insects
- food that appears to be contaminated with chemicals
- food that has visible mould or decay
Some foods can have natural features that make them look unpleasant. This does not always mean they are unsafe.
Read more about common food complaints (PDF)
Report a probelm with a food product
Report suspected food poisoning
Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food.
Symptoms usually start two to five days after eating contaminated food. They can also start after a few hours or several weeks later.
Food poisoning symptoms can be similar to other illnesses. This can make it hard to confirm the cause.
If you think you have food poisoning, we recommend that you ask your GP about providing a stool sample. This can help diagnose the cause.
For health information, read the NHS guidance on food poisoning.
We use reports to monitor possible issues in Swindon and identify possible sources of food poisoning.
Report suspected food poisoning
What to do if you have food poisoning
If you are ill and your job involves handling food, health care, or nursery work, you must:
- contact us
- tell your employer about your symptoms
- not return to work until you have been symptom-free for 48 hours
In some cases, we may ask you to stay away from work or school. We may also ask for children to stay away from nurseries or childminders. We will tell you if this is needed.
Parents and guardians should keep some children and adults away from school or other settings until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours. This applies to:
- children under five years old
- children or adults who cannot keep good personal hygiene standards
If you have food poisoning, you must try to avoid spreading it to other people.
For medical advice, contact your doctor.
How food poisoning spreads
The germs that cause food poisoning can pass from person to person after someone uses the toilet.
Even if you use toilet paper, germs can spread when you touch:
- toilet seats
- flush handles
- taps
- food utensils
- food
Other people can become ill if they touch these items.
The risk is higher in places where people:
- handle food
- work in health care
- attend or work in nurseries, schools and playgroups
- stay in or work in hospitals
- share facilities
- have close contact with other people
Good personal hygiene helps stop food poisoning bacteria from spreading.
Hand washing
Always wash your hands after going to the toilet, even if you used toilet paper.
Always wash your hands before:
- handling food
- handling cutlery or crockery
- feeding young children
Children should be supervised when using the toilet and washing their hands.
Food preparation
Do not prepare food if you have food poisoning.
You must be symptom-free for 48 hours before handling food.
Hand drying
Individual disposable paper towels are best.
Do not use shared linen or terry towels.
You can also use mechanical air-drying facilities.
Cleaning and disinfection
Regularly disinfect the following items using an appropriate cleaning solution:
- toilet seats
- flush handles
- toilet door handles, inside and outside
- wash hand basin taps
Further health information
For more detailed information about a specific illness, visit the GOV.UK infectious diseases guidance.
Report misleading or incorrect food labelling
Use this option to report a food labelling or food standards concern.
This could include:
- food labelling, including wording, quantities and clarity
- ingredients and food composition
- allergen information
- claims, marketing and advertising about food
- food descriptions and true names
- food fraud
- imported foods
‘Use by’ and ‘best before’ dates
It is not illegal to sell food after its ‘best before’ date.
A ‘best before’ date means the manufacturer expects the food to be at its best quality up to that date. After that date, the quality may go down.
‘Best before’ dates are usually used for longer-life products.
Report misleading or incorrect food labelling
Report a hygiene or safety concern about a food business
Use this option to report poor food safety or hygiene practices at a food business in Swindon.
This could include concerns about:
- temperature control, such as keeping cold food cold and hot food hot
- refrigerated storage
- cooking practices
- personal hygiene
- clean protective clothing
- regular and effective handwashing
- cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food
- equipment used for food
- the condition, cleaning, repair or suitability of premises
- pests in premises where food is stored, prepared or handled
Report a hygiene or safety concern about a food business
Report a food trade waste issue
We investigate reports of food waste issues linked to a food business.
Report a food trade waste issue
Report an unregistered food business
We investigate reports of food businesses that may not be legally registered with us.
Report an unregistered food business
Taking private action against a company
Your statutory rights are not affected if we take formal action.
You may decide to withdraw your complaint from us and take private legal action instead.
You may also decide to take private action after we complete our investigation, if this is appropriate.