Gastronenteritis caused by a Marks and Spencer pasta meal, how do I complain please?

WestonDave

Gastroenteritis isn't an illness as such, its a description of symptoms (inflamed digestive system) which is common to many illnesses. In the same way that a sore throat can be caused by various illnesses like the common cold or strep throat. That being the case its clear that someone might have "gastroenteritis" due to a 24 hour bug or due to serious food poisoning so its a bit pointless playing the "my gastro was worse than yours so yours wasn't real" game. Similarly most of the time you won't know whether your bad guts are due to eating something dodgy or getting a touch of norovirus. Its only when it gets serious enough for testing that you can tell which is the cause.


If M&S have any sense they will check the batches of that particular meal and ensure anything untoward is sorted out but they won't be admitting anything unless there is concrete evidence in the form of a stool sample showing one of the food poisoning bacteria that matches samples taken from the packaging. Since you don't have access to either, there is nothing much you can do beyond hope for a goodwill gesture.

unholyangel

Plenty of fluids, some pepto bismol (tried it for first time over 20 years ago while abroad and now I swear by it for the runs and/or vomiting), plenty of rest and stay away from other people until you've been clear of symptoms for 2 days (and that last part is probably what made you ill as gastroenteritis can be highly infectious even when the other person thinks they're "better").

So technically could have been wetherspoons no matter how clean they usually are if one of their staff had a bug and returned to work sooner than they should have - although they should be well aware that they need to be clear of symptoms for 48 hours as this is usually part of food hygiene courses.

DomRavioli

WestonDave wrote: »

Gastroenteritis isn't an illness as such, its a description of symptoms (inflamed digestive system) which is common to many illnesses. In the same way that a sore throat can be caused by various illnesses like the common cold or strep throat. That being the case its clear that someone might have "gastroenteritis" due to a 24 hour bug or due to serious food poisoning so its a bit pointless playing the "my gastro was worse than yours so yours wasn't real" game. Similarly most of the time you won't know whether your bad guts are due to eating something dodgy or getting a touch of norovirus. Its only when it gets serious enough for testing that you can tell which is the cause.


If M&S have any sense they will check the batches of that particular meal and ensure anything untoward is sorted out but they won't be admitting anything unless there is concrete evidence in the form of a stool sample showing one of the food poisoning bacteria that matches samples taken from the packaging. Since you don't have access to either, there is nothing much you can do beyond hope for a goodwill gesture.

Gastroenteritis is a bowel infection. So yes, it is an illness. (see first page) diarrhoea however is pretty common, even without infection - that's what the OP has.

M&S have no proof that the OP has anything but a dodgy stomach, nor conclusive testing from anywhere that the OP is sick potentially due to something that they ate 12 hours previously. In all likelihood, it isn't the M&S meal, its something before that, as it usually takes a few days to become infected.

ms_night_ryder

You say that you just wanted to let someone know, but you did that when you spoke to the manager. What other action are you hoping for?

You can maybe write to them and tell them you were ill, but you will prob get the same result as before, since there is no solid proof it was them, no matter how clean your friend tells you she is, that doesn't matter, she cant account for all the staff, she cant watch them all the time.

StrongWork

Your thread title has no evidence basis.

I'd ask a mod to change it.

photome

I have had food poisining.Confirmed by environmental health after testing a sample, no way could they or i prove how i got it though.

I certainly couldnt go anywhere to complain, i was in bed for nearly 2 weeks, its the worst illness i have ever had.

You have no proof, either from a sample or from the food in the packaging as it had been opened and possibly left out in the warm or been contaminated by yourself before you returned it.

If you are not really ill and it seems you are not then drink plenty of fluid and get over it or take a sample to your GP for testing

Pollycat

DomRavioli wrote: »

M&S have no proof that the OP has anything but a dodgy stomach, nor conclusive testing from anywhere that the OP is sick potentially due to something that they ate 12 hours previously. In all likelihood, it isn't the M&S meal, its something before that, as it usually takes a few days to become infected.

I agree 100%.
And the OP has no proof either.;)

daytona0

You should go sue the bacteria/virus directly as they were the ones responsible for you getting sick

dacouch

Topical trivia.

The German for diarrhea is Durchfall which the literally means through fall