Make a report
Darlington has over 800 food businesses. Our Environmental Health Team inspects them regularly to ensure food is produced safely.
If you report a food safety or hygiene concern, we will investigate in line with our enforcement policy (pdf document).
If have had an issue and you just want a refund or compensation you need to do that yourself or seek legal advice. We will not seek compensation on your behalf.
Common food complaints
| Issue | Example |
|---|---|
| Hygiene concerns | Visiting a food business and witnessing poor hygiene practices (such as staff not washing their hands or the premises looking dirty). |
| Out of date foods | Purchasing a product passed the manufacturer’s ‘Use By’ date or the food is visibly spoilt. (Please note, “Best Before” dates relate to quality, not safety.) |
| Foreign bodies in food
|
Finding something you wouldn’t expect in your food, such as hair or an insect. Some foreign bodies are not considered a food safety concern. Read more about foreign bodies in food [pdf document] |
| Incorrect labelling | There are very strict regulations on how food products can be labelled. If you wish to report an issue with labelling please retain the packaging. |
| Allergen concerns | If a business fails to provide you an allergen free meal when you made your allergy / intolerance known to them you can report this. It can be directly to us or through the Northeast Allergic Reaction Notification System [external link] (hosted by Redcar & Cleveland Council) |
Food poisoning
We work with UKHSA to investigate food poisoning and prevent its spread. If you think you have food poisoning, contact your GP for a stool sample.
Investigations usually start after a GP or UKHSA notification. An Environmental Health officer is unlikely to carry out an investigation without first receiving a notification from a GP or UKHSA.
If you handle food and have sickness or diarrhoea, tell your employer, and stay off work until 48 hours after symptoms stop.
Contact us
To make a report you can contact environmental health on [email protected] or 01325 405111.
An officer will respond in one working day.