Environmental health officials in Wakefield wrote to local businessman Steve Morton to say they were investigating an "odour from the ventilation system" of his shop.
He was stunned to be told: "We are investigating a smell of fish and chips."
This is hardly surprising since Steve has run the New Scarborough Fisheries in Wakefield, West Yorks, for four years and the chip shop for 40 years.
A council spokesman said: "We have a duty to investigate complaints."
OK, so now you know what is causing the smell - job done.