Page 63 - May 2018 - December 2018 Issue

What to Do When

Your’re Served

Bad Food

By Skyla Mae L. Zafe, Legal Services

Filipinos have a very close relationship with food. It reminds us of childhood, showcases our
culture, and brings us together. With our fondness for good meals, we already have a level of
expectation and standard when it comes to restaurants – the food must be in its correct
temperature, prepared well and is at the quality expected from its price. In the event that any
(or worse, all) of these are not met, shall hell hath no fury? Are you supposed to scream your
demands in front of the waiting staff or resign to quietly mumble to yourself and vow never to
come back?

Complaining in restaurants is tricky. When do you know that you are being reasonable or just
being a picky eater who mistakenly tried to be adventurous with the menu? Will the waiters or
kitchen staff ‘alter’ your food out of annoyance? And while it can be challenging to control your
emotions when hangry, it is important to be reminded of some things before calling back that
waiter.

Eat in a reputable establishment. A consumer must also be smart and wary when it comes to
dining options. It is wise to only eat in restaurants with a visible Sanitary Permit. Presidential
Decree No. 856 or Code on Sanitation of the Philippines has decreed that said permit must be
secured from a local health office by all food establishments and posted in a conspicuous place
of the establishment; that all persons employed in said establishments obtain a Health
Certificate issued by the local health authority; listed food quality standards that must be
complied with; and structural requirements to follow in constructing the establishment.

Raise your concern right away. It is best not to wait until you have eaten half the meal before
you call the waiter and complain. Once you feel there’s something wrong, call the waiter’s
attention immediately and calmly explain what is amiss. They need a chance to react to the
problem and deal with it.

Be fair and objective. If you threaten not to pay for anything just because they’ve brought you a
Sunny Side Up when you specifically asked for the egg to be Over Easy, you are being
unreasonable. Restaurant personnel are mere mortals who also make mistakes. Asking for a
simple replacement is perfectly reasonable. It will help you eat better knowing that you sought
a resolution commensurate with the problem.

Speak to the manager. There are limits to what the waiter can do. Sometimes, you have to take
things to the next level, but when you ask to do so, stay calm and be even more polite.

source:
Code on Sanitation of the Philippines (1975)
(2010, January 10). Do you complain in restaurants? Retrieved July 11, 2018, from
https://www.them-apples.co.uk/2010/07/do-you-complain-in-restaurants/

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