How to Report Contaminated Food

State public health departments investigate about 500 food related outbreaks every year. Outbreaks include contamination from salmonella and E.Coli. Contamination may occur from improperly cooked food or even from leaving food out in room temperature for too long. If you and another group of people have gotten sick after eating the same item from a restaurant or grocery store, the item may be contaminated. Suspected outbreaks should be reported immediately.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact your State Health Department. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site to find contact information for your local state department (Reference 2).

• 2

  Have any pertinent information on hand. Inform your state health department of where the contaminated food is located. Include the restaurant or grocery store name as well as the address and phone number. Identify exactly what the food or menu item is.

• 3

  Stop visiting the restaurant or grocery store until the issue has been resolved.