Making a complaint about food poisoning
There are many different organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause upset stomachs. It is important to note that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have food poisoning.
If your feel that you are suffering from food poisoning you will need to visit your GP and submit a stool sample. This is the only way to get a confirmed diagnosis and identify the causative organism that has made you unwell.
More information about food borne illness and poisoning.
There is an incubation period between eating food infected with food poisoning bacteria and feeling unwell. This normally ranges between 8 – 48 hours or longer, so your symptoms may not be caused by the last food or drink that you consumed.
Food poisoning can sometimes be caused by viruses. The most common cause of upset stomachs in the UK is caused by a viral infection called Norovirus. This is also known as the 'winter vomiting bug'. It only lasts for 24 to 48 hours and recovery is usually quick. It is not necessarily associated with eating contaminated food, and is easily passed from person to person.
Fast acting toxin related food poisoning can be caused by food borne toxins produced by bacteria due to poor temperature control and hygiene, symptoms can affect you in a matter of hours after you have consumed affected foods.
Food poisoning is a notifiable infectious disease if we receive an infectious disease notification from your GP we may write to you or contact you directly by telephone to complete a surveillance questionnaire.
We are not able to obtain compensation from a business on your behalf.
If you complain to us about a food business, we may contact the food business operator giving them the opportunity to put matters right.
How to make a complaint
Please complete the online complaint form to make a complaint about food sold in the borough or a Bromley based food business. You will need to provide full contact details, name, address, telephone number, email and a full account of the complaint or issue you would like to bring to the council's attention.
Your personal details will not be passed to any third parties without your consent.
We aim to contact you within 5 working days.