How to complain about food poisoning

If you have suffered food poisoning and believe a restaurant is responsible there may be something you can do.

Firstly you must visit your doctor when you fall ill who will take a sample of faeces. From this, he or she should be able to identify the type of food poisoning you are suffering.

You should also inform your local environmental health department who may wish to investigate the restaurant in question.

Proving who is responsible may be difficult, but if more than one person is affected you will have a stronger case. If you can prove the kitchen caused your illness you can claim compensation for your pain, suffering and any loss of earnings and other expenses you incur as a result. In particularly serious cases, get advice from a personal injury solicitor on how much to claim.

The letter below, composed by the Consumer's Association, is an example of the type of letter you will need to send to the owner.

Sample letter

Dear

At (time) on (day, date) my party of (number) ate (meal) at your restaurant. I am writing to let you know that members of my party became seriously ill with food poisoning following the meal.

I have been advised by my GP that the food poisoning almost certainly resulted from the food which had been eaten at your restaurant. This is because (details).

You are legally obliged to serve food which is fit for human consumption under the terms of the contract between restaurant and consumer. Your failure to do so indicates that you are in breach of contract. As a result, we are legally entitled to receive compensation from you for our pain and suffering, loss of earning and out-of-pocket expenses.

We are taking legal advice on the extent of our claim and will be in touch with you shortly to advise you of the figure.

I have also contacted the Environmental Health Department, which will be investigating the matter.

Yours sincerely

This letter is extracted from '150 letters that Get Results', published by Which? Ltd. It can be ordered on Freephone 0800 252100 (£9.99, free p and p) or at www.which.net or bought from bookshops.

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