Food illness complaints

Food Complaints - Board saying Food Complaints

If you believe you or your whānau have become ill because of the food you have eaten, please consult your doctor (GP) as soon as possible. They can assess your condition and may request stool samples or other tests to identify the cause of your illness. This information is crucial for both your treatment and any potential public health investigations.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration, seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services at 111.

Reporting suspected food poisoning helps authorities identify and manage potential public health risks. Public health is responsible for monitoring and investigating foodborne diseases (food poisoning), and for disease outbreak caused by foodborne illnesses. To notify public health of a foodborne disease or outbreak please contact the on-call Health Protection Officer at Mid Central Health on (06) 350 9110.

If you still have the food in question, please place it into a sealed container and store it in the fridge. Let the Health Protection Officer know that you have the food.

Food premise complaints

Horowhenua District Council manages complaints regarding food premises. If you have a food safety concern, please contact us by completing the online notification form.

Topics we cover include:

  • Under cooked chicken or any other process where there is concern over safe food handling
  • Concern regarding storage and display
  • Hygiene issues such as cleanliness
  • Food registration not on display
  • Odour
  • Rubbish
  • Pests
  • Allergic reactions

Council do not cover complaints regarding:

  • Slow service
  • Portion sizing
  • Customer service

Please address these complaints directly with the business owner/manager.

Complete the form online

Step 1.Have your details ready

Ensure you have the Name of the Business, date of purchase, type of food and any photographs you may have of the product / label or receipts.

Step 2.Complete the form online

Complete and submit this application form

Notify online