Food shopping

You should always make sure that the food you buy is safe to eat, particularly when you're doing your weekly shopping.

Here are some helpful tips to follow:

if you aren't happy with the way food is handled, sold or stored, speak to the shop manager or contact our food safety team
always check date codes on food products and don't buy out of date food
if a shop is dirty or has problems with flies or other pests, contact our food safety team so we can arrange an inspection
don't buy food that looks old, stale or mouldy
check that the food you buy is the same quality as food on display
make sure food is handled as little as possible and don't accept produce which has been handled by someone with dirty hands or clothes
don't buy ready to eat 'open' food which has been touched by someone who has also handled raw food, especially meat, without washing their hands
don't accept food served to you by someone who has been smoking or eating or has just touched their mouth or hair
only buy cooked meats or meat products which are kept refrigerated. If the refrigerator has a thermometer, make sure it reads 8°C or less.
do not buy frozen food which is soft or defrosting
make sure food packaging is undamaged.