Whether your loved one has been harmed by food poisoning, you think you may have a foodborne illness or you are managing the life-long effects of surviving a severe disease, this website was built for you.  We are here for you and everyone that has been impacted by foodborne illness.   

Annually, 1 in 6 people suffer due to food poisoning/foodborne illness and most recover fully within a week.  Many people are not aware that they have or had a foodborne illness and simply called their quick decline into writhing on the bathroom floor – with fever, chills, vomiting and diarrhea – the ‘stomach flu’.  But, in reality, the ailment was likely caused by contaminated food or water. 

I have had the opportunity to visit too many parent constituents at Stop Foodborne Illness and each of them say the same thing – I thought my child had a stomach bug.  But then, their child became sicker and the doctors told them “it will be self-limiting” and “it’s just a virus”.  Many parents have shared that they were made to feel as though they were over-reacting and that they shouldn’t trust their instincts.  Sadly, those parents are STOP constituents because their instincts were right, and their children were suffering.  Most of them survived, however, many did not. 

Stop Foodborne Illness was created for those parents.  And for spouses, children and loved ones that were looking for answers but could find none.  STOP is here to amplify the many voices that have experienced great trauma from something as base as eating; for those that understand that public health and food safety are synonymous; and, for the courageous individuals that share their personal tragedy to prevent others from having the same experience.  We want you to know that you are not alone whether you are in crisis, post-crisis or managing the life-long complications that can accompany surviving contaminated food.

We, at STOP, are humbly dedicated to you.  We will continue working to stop foodborne illness. 

Best,

Mitzi D. Baum
CEO