Food poisoning
This service investigates food poisoning and certain other food borne illnesses to prevent the spread of illness within the community and to try and establish possible causes.
If you think you have food poisoning
- You must visit your doctor and request for a stool (poo) sample to be tested so we can establish the type of poisoning and how it may have occurred. See common food poisoning symptoms here.
- Contact us if you believe your illness is caused by a food business.(It is unlikely for us to be able to investigate fully without a sample of the food and without a confirmed diagnosis by a doctor.
- Wash your hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet
- Disinfect door and toilet handles, taps and toilet seat and disinfect the toilet bowl frequently
- Drink plenty of fluids to reduce dehydration
If your job involves handling food or you work with the elderly, young children or people who are unwell:
- Tell your employer of your illness immediately and follow their advice
- Stay away from work until your symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours
- Tell your employer before you return to work
- Keep up high standards of personal hygiene once back at work as you could pass on the infection for several weeks
Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer from food poisoning which is subsequently reported to us by your doctor, you will be contacted and then asked for details of the food you have eaten, and the places you have visited several days before you became ill.
You may also be advised not to attend work if it is possible that you will pass on the infection as a food handler or carer.
Further information for consumers can be found on the Food Standards Agency website.