Food Information

Requests for this service

Requests for this service can be made by telephone on 01827 715341, or fax on 0870 4001858. You can also visit or write to this office or can request the service by Email at foodsafety@northwarks.gov.uk

Comments on the service or complaints about it can be made by telephone (01827 719326), fax 0870 4001858 or Email mailto:foodsafety@northwarks.gov.uk , or by writing to: the Regulatory Division, NWBC, The Council House, South Street, Atherstone, Warks, CV9 1DE

The Policy

Food complaints dealt with include those relating to:

• Unfit Food
• Contaminated Food
• Potentially Harmful Food
• Food Involving contravention of Food Standards Agency or regulatory requirements.

In dealing with complaints, officers will take into account the requirements of the Statutory Food Law Code Of Practice And Associated Practice Guidance For England issued by The Food Standards Agency. In particular, officers will be aware of the division of responsibility between the Borough Council and the County Council.

All food complaints arising from the Borough will be investigated. All investigations of purchases made by residents of the Borough from premises outside of the Borough will be commenced by the Division and liaison made with the relevant Local Authority to transfer the complaint, details and - if considered necessary by the investigating officer - a statement to that authority by the most expedient means.

The Plan

The first response to a food complaint will be within one working day.

In the case of food purchased outside the Borough, the appropriate local authority Environmental Health Department will be contacted and arrangements made for early transfer of the food and complaint details to that Authority. If legal proceedings are to be instituted by the other Authority they may require a statement from the officer concerned and hence the officer who collected the foodstuff and interviewed the complainant will deal with the matter.

If the complaint is concerned with composition, labelling or quality, it will be passed to the Trading Standards Department of Warwickshire County Council for investigation.

Depending on the nature of the foodstuff complained of, it will be subjected to analysis and photographs for subsequent use in legal proceedings taken.