Food poisoning

[pitstopbunny]

I have just had to take back some goods to a well known supermarket as I think they gave me food poisoning. They gave me a refund and also have arranged for the goods to be sent to head office to be checked (I felt that they smelt of bleach). I had been unwell for 2 days after eating them (I hadn't eaten anything else so am assuming they caused it).

What happens next, how do they test the goods & if proven, what sort of result could I expect to receive?

They were ham & cheese lattices for those wondering, frozen on day of purchase as indicted and used accordingly.

[andy-hughes]

The company will arrange for an independent food chemist to test the food, and advise you of their findings.

If the food was contaminated, you will probably get some store vouchers to go with your apology letter - if not, they will probabkly advise you accordingly, and advise that they hope you wtill shop with them.

[WendyS]

pitstopbunny - Hope you're feeling better now. If you're in the habit of buying ready-prepared foods from a supermarket or chiller fridge, always make sure they have been stored properly, especially frozen stuff that is packed above the freezer load line. Shoppers continually pick up stuff, shuffle it around, decide they don't want it and shove it back above the load line where it thaws out and this can and does cause food poisoning. Many years ago I once found a whole supermarket freezer full of stuff that was so poorly loaded that it much of it was thawing out. I called the manager who simply stacked it all back below the load line. I was so angry that I immediately called the Food Safety offices at the council and within half an hour an official was in the store and had condemned the whole cabinet full. I watched this happen this covertly from a quiet part of the supermarket and felt a quiet satisfaction but never had the nerve to shop there again in case the manager remembered my face. To revert to you particular case, I assume the supermarket have your name & address so they will probably contact you again when they receive the results if they are taking the complaint seriously.

[pitstopbunny]

I'm bck on my feet now and the customer services lady, who served me, seemed very concerned & efficient, so fingers crossed they have taken it seriously! I'll keep you posted if there's a result

[kovac]

Whilst the store are being very helpful - it may be worth your while contacting your envioronmental health advisor at your local council. Take heed of what Wendys was saying. Whilst the staff are showing concern, it may be something that environmental health need to be aware of in terms of the way in which they are storing their frozen food items.

Glad you're feeling better.

[Lonnie]

pitstopbunney, we had roughly the same thing sometime ago, do what kovac advises.