Information for consumers
What should I look out for when buying food products?
Unpackaged food products
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Be suspicious of unusual behaviours or actions by anyone, especially in unsupervised food areas and around condiments or utensils used for food. (eg. straws, plastic cutlery etc.)
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Avoid eating or buying food products that do not look, smell or tase as they should.
Packaged food products
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Carefully examine all packaging of food products. Be aware of the normal appearance of food containers. This way you will be more likely to notice if an outer seal or wrapper is missing. Compare a suspect container with others on the shelf.
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Examine any anti-tampering devices on packaging of food products. Make sure the plastic seal around the outside of a container is intact or that the safety button on the lid of a jar/bottle is down.
Check the ‘use-by’ and ‘best-before’ dates which are printed on some food products, and only buy items within those time frames.
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Avoid food products if the packaging is open, torn or damaged. This includes food products either stored on the shelf or in the refrigerator or freezer sections of food stores.
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Avoid buying food products that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, never purchase canned goods that are leaking or that bulge at the ends and products that appear to have been thawed and then refrozen.
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What should I look out for with food products at home?
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When opening a food container, carefully inspect the food product inside. If the food product is discoloured, mouldy, smells off, or spurts liquid or foam when the container is opened, it may be contaminated and should not be eaten.
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Never eat food from containers that are damaged or that look unusual. For example, cans that are leaking or that bulge at the ends.
Who do I contact if I suspect food has been intentionally contaminated?
If you suspect a food product has been intentionally contaminated while you are shopping, report it to the Store Manager.
If you suspect a food product that you have purchased and taken home has been intentionally contaminated, report it to your local Queensland Health Population Health Unit or contact Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
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