If you find a foreign object in your food, it is important that you keep it with the food and store it in a safe place. We recommend freezing. Keep the receipt if possible.

Illness caused by food

Symptoms of food borne illness may include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, sore throat with fever and jaundice.

If you experience these symptoms, you should see a doctor for immediate medical attention. The doctor should also take a specimen sample which will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Make a note of all the meals consumed within a 10 day period. Include breakfasts, lunches and dinners as well as any snacks. Also include any holidays or trips overseas and interstate.

Poor food handling

Occasionally a customer may see a food handler adopt a poor hand handling practice such as:

• the food handler not washing their hands
• handling ready to eat foods with bare hands
• handling money with the same gloved hand used for the handling of food

Dirty food premises

Problems with dirty food premises are rare, but concerns can be about bad odours, the storage or disposal of garbage, or unclean premises.

Spoiled food

Foods which have not been stored correctly may deteriorate or go mouldy. Foods such as flour, cereals, rice, biscuits and try goods that are stored in open containers may attract pest insects such as weevils and food moths.