Food Complaints

Environmental Health Officers are required to investigate once notified of a food complaint including food poisoning, adulteration of food, hygiene of food handlers and premises related complaints.

If you would like to lodge a complaint in relation to a foreign object found in your food, cleanliness or hygiene practices at a food business then please complete the food complaint form

You can use this form to lodge a complaint about a food business;

If you have suffered an illness as a result from consuming food
If you have found a foreign object in your food such as metal, glass or insect etc
If you have concerns regarding poor food practices and cleanliness of the staff and premises

If any symptoms occur outside of business hours please contact 9262 6333.

Food Contamination

Food contamination can make food unsafe if it is consumed. Food can be contaminated in the following ways:

Microorganisms – these include bacteria, fungi, yeasts, mould and viruses
Chemical hazards – these include cleaning chemicals or foods with naturally occurring toxins like green potatoes
Physical hazards – these include dangerous physical objects such as plastic, glass, elastic bands or a bandaid.

What should you do if you find contaminated food?

Please contact us so the matter can be investigated. This involves Council Environmental Health Officers visiting the food premises and assessing their food safety practices and taking appropriate action as required.

If you happen to find a foreign object in your food, DO NOT remove it. Keep the product intact and store according to the product instructions such as in the fridge or seal it in a plastic container.

If the product was purchased from a business located outside Whitehorse City Council you will need to contact the Council responsible for that area or we can refer the complaint to that Council on your behalf. To find which Council may be responsible and the contact details see Local Government Victoria

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning can occur up to 72 hours from the time you ate or drank the contaminated source prior to experiencing any symptoms.

It is helpful if you are also able to provide your Environmental Health Officer with:

A list of all foods including drinks and snacks you have consumed in the 3 days prior to the onset of symptoms
If possible keep any left over foods or packaging in the fridge.

Submit a Food Complaint

You are here