FSM 064: Reporting a Foodborne Illness to Your County Health Department

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Episode Transcription

From Washington State University Extension, this is Susie Craig.

If you think you have a foodborne illness from eating at a business or food service operation, start with a call your County Health Department. Counties have guidelines for reporting along with phone numbers and business hours to make things easy for consumers. A county official will take your report. Your physician may send results of laboratory tests.

Before you call be prepared with this information:

  • Date and time of meal,
  • Name of establishment and address,
  • Current or past symptoms,
  • List of foods consumed, and
  • Contact information for everyone in your party

All your information is confidential – protected health information. Health officials determine if a business or food service operation was responsible for your illness and follow-up with the location.

For Food Safety in a Minute, this is Susie Craig.