Food safety complaint or query privacy notice

The council is the data controller for purposes of the Data Protection Act (2018) and EU General Data Protection Regulation as of May 2018 and is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Brighton & Hove City Council are committed to protecting your personal information. As a data controller we have a responsibility to make sure you know why and how your personal information is being collected in accordance with relevant data protection law.

Purposes and lawful basis of processing

We are collecting your data for the purpose of responding to your complaint or query in relation to food safety and/or food standards matters. If necessary, your information may be used to support any investigations and may result in being used in legal action taken against a food business operator or individual.  

Our lawful basis for processing data is due to our legal obligations under the Food Safety Act 1990.

Sometimes it is necessary to process special category data and our lawful basis for doing so is Substantial Public Interest, specifically working within the Data Protection Act (2018), Schedule 1, Part 2, Paragraph 12, Regulatory requirements relating to unlawful acts and dishonesty etc.

Who we will share your data with

Your data may be shared internally with Legal Services. We may also share your information externally with other local authorities, the courts and produce manufacturers.

How long we will hold your data (retention)

We will hold your data for six years after the relevant business has closed.

Transferring data outside the European Economic Area

Your information is not processed outside of the European Economic Area.

How to get advice or make a complaint 

Data Protection Officer 

If you have a concern about how we collect or use your personal data you can contact the Council’s Data Protection Officer.  

How to make a complaint 

We aim to resolve all complaints about how we handle personal information. You also have the right to make a complaint about data protection to the Information Commissioner's Office.  

Contact them by post: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or phone 0303 1231 113. 

You can also make a complaint or find out more information on the Commissioner's Office website. 

If your complaint is not about data protection, find details on how to make a complaint about a council service.