united-states california food fda
What are my rights and proper actions if the food contains traces of household chemicals?
<p>I recently bought a juice from the supermarket. That specific type of juice is probably produced in that supermarket locally. After trying it, I am reasonably confident that it contains soap.</p>

<p>For the sake of this question, let's assume that I am correct and the juice indeed contains reasonable traces of household chemicals (and I still have the bottle). What can I do in this case?</p>

<p>Of course I can bring this bottle to the supermarket, but this will probably achieve nothing (they will offer me some useless discounts or give me the new bottle for free, which is not my goal).</p>

<p>It looks like I can make a <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-report-product-problems-and-complaints-fda" rel="nofollow noreferrer">complaint with the FDA</a>, but I am not sure how will it work.</p>

<p>An in-house made product is not regulated by the FDA. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>FDA regulates all foods and food ingredients introduced into or offered for sale in <strong>interstate commerce</strong>, with the exception of meat, poultry, and certain processed egg products regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).</p>
  
  <p>Examples of Food businesses NOT regulated by FDA:</p>
  
  <p><strong>Retail food establishments (i.e. grocery stores</strong>, restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks), which are regulated by state and local governments.
  Farmers markets</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(Bolding added) From <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-industry/how-start-food-business" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FDA</a></p>

<p>If your goal is to have the store looked at so they change their ways, you would have a better chance with the California Health Department. In this case, the grocery store is a retail food establishment*, like a cafe. I am taking your assumption as correct that the juice is being made in the store.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Retail Food Facilities (e.g. restaurants, food trucks, cafés, etc.)
  The local environmental health department (EHD) is responsible for the initial investigation of consumer complaints regarding foods served or sold at retail food facilities (e.g. restaurants, food trucks, cafés, etc.). </p>
  
  <p>To file a consumer complaint regarding a retail food facility, click here to contact the <a href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/ConsumerComplaint.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">EHD</a> (PDF).</p>
</blockquote>

<p>From <a href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/Pages/FDBPrograms/FoodSafetyProgram/ConsumerComplaint.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">California Public Health</a></p>

<p>If your goal is to "cash in", you are on your own.</p>

<p>*Edit: I mean that they are regulated like a cafe for the part of the store that makes and sells its own food.</p>

<p>The &quot;how to report&quot; page you have linked to includes the following note (emphasis mine):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For non-emergencies:</p>
<p><strong>If you have questions</strong>, or want to talk with someone, call the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator</a> who works with your state. <a href="http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ConsumerComplaintCoordinators/default.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Phone numbers are listed online</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I can't comment on how much information they would be able to provide, but calling the coordinator for your state will at least let you speak to someone at the FDA who may be able to explain what will happen.</p>
