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Food and restaurants - an introduction
Sometimes things go wrong when you buy food from a shop or restaurant. You may have a complaint about mouldy food, food poisoning or misleading advertising.
There are several laws designed to protect consumers when they buy food from a shop or restaurant.
Read about your rights when things go wrong and how to sort your problem out.
Top tips
Food laws
For an introduction to general food regulations and legislation, visit the Food Standards Agency website, at: www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry.
Complaints about restaurants
If you’re not happy with the food or service you received at a restaurant or other catering establishment, you can complain.
Unsafe or poor quality food bought in shops
By law food must be safe and of satisfactory quality. If you buy food that turns out to be mouldy or poor quality you have a right to take it back and get a refund or replacement. You might also want to report the unsafe food to your local environmental health department.
Unsafe or poor quality food bought in shops
Unhygienic or unclean food premises
Whether you buy food in a shop, market stall or restaurant, it must be prepared, stored and sold in a clean and hygienic environment.
Unhygienic or unclean food premises
Pricing problems
By law, traders must not mislead you about the price of food. They must:
- display the price of food or drink. This includes situations where food is bought off the shelf or in restaurants and pubs
- display the unit price of meat, fish and cheese, for example, the price of haddock per kilo
- display the price of fruit and vegetables, for example, 'six oranges for 50p' or '50p a kilo'.
Price is changed at the checkout – what to do.
Report a problem to trading standards.
Labelling, packaging and advertising
The law says food suppliers must follow labelling rules and must not mislead you.
Complaints about food labelling and advertising
Complaints about weights and measures
Food allergy advice
Some people are allergic to particular foods or additives in food, for example, nuts or milk. The ingredients of most pre-packed food should be marked on the label, including some additives. But flavourings don't have to be marked.
If you have a problem or enquiry about a food allergy, you can get advice from:
- the local health authority community dietician (in N. Ireland, the local health board community dietician)
- your doctor
- mother and baby clinics
- a specialist allergy organisation.
Selling food – what you need to know
If you plan to sell food, even at a cake stall at a local fete, there are rules you have to follow.
Selling food – what you need to know
