How to complain about a food premises

The Health Protection Team of Health Protection and Environmental Management can only investigate food complaints which relate to public safety.  We do not get involved in any compensation claims.  Compensation claims are a civil matter that you must take up with the manufacturer.

See our page 'Infectious Diseases and Food Borne Illness' for advice about food poisoning.

Things that we will investigate include:

• people smoking in kitchens, store rooms or preparation rooms
• pets or animals in kitchens, store rooms or preparation rooms
• sightings of vermin or pests on food premises
• poor levels of cleanliness in kitchens, store rooms or preparation rooms
• poor food handling practices

We will ask for your details and guarantee that they will be kept confidential.  However, if your complaint results in legal action being taken against the premises we may ask you to make a witness statement.

We will accept anonymous complaints but will use our judgement whether or not to take action depending on the information given and the risk criteria.

If you would like to make a complaint about a food provider in the Chichester District please contact Health Protection and Environmental Management.

Once a complaint has been made, a Food Safety Officer will contact you within 3 working days to discuss the matter.

Any complaints regarding food being sold after its use by date or issues with food labelling please contact West Sussex County Council Trading Services Department.