Minister urges consumers to report dodgy festive food

Media release

17 January 2012

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson today urged consumers who suspect they have bought a dodgy food product or meal over the festive season to report the incident to the NSW Food Authority.

"NSW consumers have every right to expect that the food they eat is safe and while the vast majority of food businesses do the right thing, people should know that they have a right to complain about threats to their food safety," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"Food complaints can provide important information about risks in particular food businesses or food products so it is vital that bad food experiences are reported to prevent sickness from spreading.

"If you bought food over the Christmas holidays that was unsafe to consume, or you believe made you or a family member unwell, please contact the NSW Food Authority’s helpline.

"Complaints about cafe and restaurant meals can be made directly to your local council which is responsible for inspecting retail food service businesses in their area."

Ms Hodgkinson said on average the NSW Food Authority receives more than 2,000 reports of foodborne illnesses each year.

"Food poisoning is unpleasant and it is important that the State’s consumers know that incidents reported to the NSW Food Authority are taken seriously, investigated and appropriate measures are taken," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"If a business is found to have breached the Food Standards Code, the Authority or investigating council will undertake enforcement action, which can include prosecution."

Of the 2,000 foodborne illness reports received each year, around a third are investigated further by the Authority. Others are referred to local councils for investigation under the Food Regulation Partnership.

Complaints about food can be about possible contamination of food, food poisoning, illegal sales or serving of food, incorrect or unhygienic food handling, storage, transport and preparation, misleading or incomplete labelling, spoiling of packaged or fresh food and unsuitable or unsafe ingredients.

To contact the NSW Food Authority’s helpline please call 1300 552 406.

Further information is available from the NSW Food Authority at http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/complaints-about-food-and-businesses/