Report a food business anonymously for safety or hygiene issues by contacting the local authority environmental health department where the business is located, or by using the Food Standards Agency's online report a food crime service. Serious breaches can be reported to the National Food Crime Unit via their hotline (0800 028 1180).
The National Food Crime Unit ( NFCU ) has identified seven different types of criminal behaviour often seen in food crime: adulteration, substitution, theft, misrepresentation, illegal processing, waste diversion and document fraud.
How do I report a food business to the health department?
The local authority food safety team will consider the complaint and determine the most appropriate course of action. Use this service to find contact details of the food safety team. You will have an option to email the team or use the local authority's website to report your issue.
To report a trading standards issue and get consumer advice, contact Citizens Advice . They will advise and pass on details to your local trading standards team for where you live and where the trader is located. You can also report issues anonymously on the London Trading Standards website.
How do I report someone to the food standards agency?
Reporting a food crime
If you are a whistleblower or wish to report a food crime, please click on the start button on this page and complete the webform. Alternatively, contact the National Food Crime Unit confidential hotline on 0800 028 1180.
How Do I Report Food Safety Concerns Safely? - Consumer Laws For You
How to report someone selling food without a license in the UK?
If you think a food business may not be registered, you can report it to the local authority's food safety team where the business is located. Use this service to find the food safety team contact details. Please make sure you enter the full UK postcode for the food business you wish to report, for example SW1H9EX.
Yes, complaining to Trading Standards is worth it to stop illegal or unfair practices and protect the public, but they typically won't get you a refund for individual disputes; they focus on criminal/unsafe goods (fake items, dangerous products, misleading descriptions, scams) rather than civil contract breaches (poor service). Your report helps them identify problem traders, but you may need to pursue your own refund via the business or small claims court.
A complaint is generally an expression of dissatisfaction about an organization's service, actions, or lack thereof, requiring a response, and can cover issues like delays, mistakes, poor conduct, or failure to meet standards, even if the word "complaint" isn't used, though it's distinct from a simple service request or an issue with a right of appeal, like a court case. It signifies unhappiness with something that has or hasn't happened and needs investigation and resolution, not just information.
Is it illegal to sell food without a license in the UK?
If you store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises, it is a legal requirement to register your business. If you run a food business without registering it, you may be fined or imprisoned for up to two years or both.
If food which requires refrigeration has not been kept chilled for more than four hours, throw it away. Remember that some foods need extra care e.g. rice. See the safe method 'Foods that need extra care' in the Cooking section.
What is the most common complaint about restaurants?
Poor food quality is one of the most common complaints in restaurants. Examples of this include dishes lacking flavor, food served at the wrong temperature, menus that don't accommodate dietary restrictions and general mix-ups caused by servers mishearing and failing to confirm orders.
Remember this general rule of thumb when you have leftovers. ✅ You have 2 hours to get food into the fridge. ✅ It's safe in the fridge for 2 days. ✅ If you're not going to eat it after that, move it to the freezer and eat within 2 months.
Illegal slaughter – slaughtering farmed and wild animals under conditions which don't meet animal welfare or hygiene standards. Mislabelling - deliberately falsifying information on food labels; for example, saying it's Scottish produce, free range or organic when it's not.
Most local law enforcement agencies accept anonymous tips or crime reports online or by phone. They may also have an online system or dedicated phone line to report a non-emergency crime. To learn more, contact your local police department.
What happens after you anonymously report someone?
Your report is sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate crimes, make arrests and charge people in order to bring them to justice. This could be your local police force or an agency such as the UK Border Agency or HM Revenue & Customs.
You could get a reward if the information you provide to HMRC leads to the collection of at least £1.5 million in tax. You could get between 15% and 30% of the tax collected (excluding penalties and interest). Rewards are given at HMRC 's discretion and are not guaranteed.
How long does it take after reporting someone for tax evasion?
How long will a tax investigation take? The length of an investigation varies on a case by case basis, ranging from one letter to several months, and in more technical cases, even years.
The four foundational consumer rights, established by John F. Kennedy, are the Right to Safety (protection from hazardous goods), the Right to be Informed (access to accurate information), the Right to Choose (variety of choices at competitive prices), and the Right to be Heard (representation in decision-making). These rights form the basis for consumer protection laws, ensuring fair treatment and product quality for buyers.
A negative review can damage your business by destroying your reputation. It can also cost you valuable web traffic. If a customer reviews a product or service negatively, it will be difficult to recover. That's why it's crucial to monitor your business's online reviews.
You can do it anonymously if you prefer – you do not have to give your name, address or email address. Please make sure you enter the code 'TAC' when you complete the form. You can also phone HMRC on 0800 788 887 – if you're outside the UK call +44 (0)203 0800 871.
