Food poisoning from Chiquito

kajstring24

Hello everyone,

I went for a birthday meal at the Chiquito in the Metro Centre Friday night, unfortunately a few hours later I was out of bed, in the toilet with the symptoms of food poisoning. I went to the doctor's on the Saturday morning who confirmed that I was likely to be suffering from food poisoning and should rest. Thankfully, it was minor and I was fine by Sunday.

I believe the meal at Chiquito was the cause. I had chicken fajitas, while my boyfriend had the mixed grill (chicken, steak and prawns) and he was fine (possibly just unlucky with the chicken?)

Does anyone know the best way to complain? I feel a bit uncomfortable claiming that their food made me ill because I'm actually fully recovered. I've been onto Trip Advisor and given them a bad review, but I feel that this warrants a slightly more serious response. I can't find the address for head office either, so if anyone has that to hand it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

kajstring24

Please ignore the last part of that message, I just found their address on their website. Clearly I'm blind

vuvuzela

I assume you have the stool / vomit samples to be scientifically tested to prove the food poisoning (if it was that) came from Chiquito ? Also samples of the food you ate ?

kajstring24

No food samples. Unless I assumed that the food would be give me food poisoning. There was nothing to suggest that would happen though, which is why I went to the doctors for advice on why I might suddenly be struck down with vomiting and...other stuff.

As for the rest, I didn't take samples. I've never had food poisoning before so didn't think about that. And to be quite honest, the last thing I wanted to do was fish out samples when I was feeling so rotten.

Slowhand

You really have no proof your illness was caused by eating at Chiquito.

InsideInsurance

A few hours sounds too quick to have been from the restaurant - the NHS (see http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Food-poisoning/Pages/Introduction.aspx) say the onset time is 1-3 DAYS from eating the contaminated food.

You have no confirmed diagnosis, no proof it was their food and the timing suggests it wasnt. You can write and complain and probably get a discount voucher but then you could do that to any restaurant irrespective of if you were ill afterwards or not.

arcon5

You don't need to prove anything to complain to them. If though you wanted to pursue them via legal channels or something you would need some sort of proof. This though doesn't stop you writing a letter of complaint and reporting them to the FSA in the hope an investigation is initiated to ensure general standards are up to scratch and this is not a regular accordance.

Even if it wasn't that restaurant it can't do any harm following their non-public complaints procedure to have them investigate.

kajstring24

No problem, I'll put it down to a bad experience and avoid in future. I'll send a complaint anyway, the worst they can do is ignore it. Thanks for the useful advice InsideInsurance and arcon

System

Yes if you can't prove it they won't do anything. Expect a standard response about the care they take in food hygiene and cleanliness. It probably was them but they are never going to admit it.

Best bet someone else who was there on the night was also ill. If they read your tripadvisor review they may back you up!

Hintza

kajstring24 wrote: »

I've been onto Trip Advisor and given them a bad review,

So what more would you expect them to do? You have given them a bad review before giving them a chance to respond. You have absolutely no proof that they were liable for poisoning you.

It could have been your lunch?

Once you write to them perhaps they will sue you.

halibut2209

Sue for what? Just as the OP may not be able to prove that they caused the illness, the restaurant can't either.