Not all pathogens are created equal. There are dangerous strains that cause severe illness.
Today’s news headlines often include stories of food poisoning attributed to a variety of viruses, bacteria or parasites.
Whether the outbreak takes place on a cruise ship, within a local community, a healthcare facility, or at a family reunion, there is a short list of pathogens that medical professionals consider when narrowing down the type of outbreak that may be occurring.
Knowledge is the first step to protecting both yourself and your loved ones.
Much of modern foodborne microbiology is devoted to keeping pathogenic bacteria out of food products and preventing their growth if they are present. Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Shigella are well known species of foodborne bacteria.
Viruses are thought to be the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States based on the percentage of people ill, even though there are only a few viruses that are important foodborne pathogens.
There are about 20 different species of parasites that are known to cause illness in humans from contaminated food or water.
I was out of the woods. They knew I would live but it was yet to be determined what effect coding 3 times was going to have on me.
Would I cognitively be okay? After being on a ventilator for 4 weeks, my body had lost muscle and I could barely move. Would all the physical and occupational therapy I needed actually work? Would I ever regain normal muscle function? Over the next weeks, I slowly gained back some muscle function. At first, I couldn’t even hold a pen to write, or move my own legs. Slowly, the therapists worked on getting me to sit on the side of the bed, sitting on a chair, and then standing with a walker, to very SLOWLY taking steps with a walker.
One day, I walked about 30 steps down the hallway with the walker. All the nurses and doctors stopped what they were doing to watch, then they cried and cheered for me! Over the many weeks of my hospitalization the caring staff became like family, to my family and friends, and were just as happy to see my progress.
I still had the trach tube when I was taken off sedation drugs. I couldn’t talk, at all!
... Every person who hears my story says they were totally unaware that E. coli could do this to a person. Whenever I hear a story on the news about an outbreak with E. coli, I get a little angry that this issue even exists!⁕ Katie, E. coli survivor
I remember sitting on the kitchen floor petting my dog when my mom played back the voicemail from the night before ... It was actually the on call doctor at the lab my blood was sent to urging us to get to the emergency room as my blood levels had dropped to an alarming 16 (normal levels are between 35-42).
More tests were done and it was found that my hematocrit levels had dropped even further to 14, and my kidney levels were more than three times the normal limit. My kidneys had gone into acute renal failure, I was profoundly anemic and my red blood cells were fragmenting. The only thing the doctors were waiting on was an open bed.
When I was brought up to the ICU, a swarm of doctors greeted me, bombarding me with question after question. My parents were nowhere in sight and, despite being 18, I began to cry. I didn’t know the answers to these questions- I was in too much pain leading up to this point. I just wanted my mom.
My ICU nurse, lord bless her, was an angel. She got my mom into the room and, when they had to put a catheter central line in my neck, she held my hand and told me stories of when she broke her arm. There was no one allowed in the room but the nurse and attending when this was being done ... I can still remember the feeling of warm blood trickling down my neck. I wasn’t able to wash my hair until two days later. And even then, my mom had to help me.
My blood count was so low that I had to get 2 plasma transfusions and 5 blood transfusions ... During my next plasmapheresis they gave me the medication prior to the start. I don’t remember much of this stay as I was heavily drugged. I am thankful for that because the parts I do remember I was in pain.
My parents ... were extremely calm during the time I was sick and looking back, I am very thankful they stayed strong. They never broke down in front of me and always acted like everything was ok. I never even realized how serious my condition was until about a year after it had all happened. I was 18 years old, I didn’t understand that I could have very easily died.
My diagnosis was Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) but doctors were extremely puzzled as my stool cultures had come back negative. NYS went back to my original culture from my first ER visit and had it tested for Shiga-toxin and was somehow able to work their way back to a positive result of E. coli O145.
I was ... a young adult in good health. HUS usually affects children under 5 and the elderly. There were 33 cases total from my outbreak ... All from eating contaminated lettuce.⁕ Emily, E. coli/HUS survivor
The most dangerous strains can damage the linings of
your intestines and kidneys.
E. coli (Escherichia coli) are a very large and varied group of bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. Most of the 700 strains of E. coli are harmless, but some strains can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and other illnesses.
The most dangerous strains can damage the linings of your intestines and kidneys.
These dangerous types of E.coli come in contact with fruits and vegetables when fecally-contaminated water is used for irrigation, for example when a water source is polluted by cattle runoff.
E. coli infection can also be transmitted from one infected person to another as can occur in daycare centers or nursing homes. Animals can infect humans directly in settings like petting zoos.
These disease causing strains of E. coli produce powerful toxins (Shiga toxins) that can cause life threatening disease. They are called “Shiga toxin producing E.coli” (STEC), or sometimes “Vero toxigenic
E.coli” (VTEC). A common strain implicated in E. coli poisonings is O157:H7, however other STEC strains are emerging and cause even more infections than E.coli O157:H7.
Shiga toxins are among the most potent biological poisons known, categorized by the Department of Homeland Security as a possible bioterrorism agent.
Somehow I managed to drive myself to the ER. The doctors hooked me up to an IV, told me I probably just had food poisoning and that I was dehydrated–no big deal.
They never even checked my stool for what was making me sick. I was given a prescription for pain medication, an antibiotic (which I later found you’re not supposed to take if you have E. coli) and was sent home.
As I walked through the hallway over to the hospital pharmacy, I felt weak and dizzy. While waiting for my prescriptions, I was amazed that I had to go to the bathroom (again!). As I opened the door to leave the bathroom, I had a rush come over me and I blacked out.
I was taken back to the ER and admitted to the hospital for observation. After many tests were performed and several days had passed, I was diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7. By this time the E. coli had begun to take its toll on my organs at a rapid pace. My red blood cells and platelets were dropping quickly.
The pain was excruciating. My mind was out of it. My kidneys were failing.⁕ Jillian, E. coli survivor
There are 265,000 E.coli infections each year in the United States. This is only an estimate because many cases do not seek medical care, are never diagnosed or reported, and many labs have yet to test for STEC strains other than E.coli O157:H7.
The most vulnerable are young children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems. However, people of all ages and health status can be severely affected.
In the United States, HUS is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children, and most cases of HUS are caused by the strain of STEC, E. coli O157:H7. About 5-10 % of STEC infections lead to HUS.
Other foodborne pathogens such as Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella Typhi can also cause HUS.
Many cases of HUS never have a stool culture that proves which pathogen caused illness. Often by the time a patient presents with HUS, the pathogen itself can no longer be easily isolated from a stool specimen. For any patient with HUS without a culture-confirmed STEC infection, stool can be sent to a public health laboratory or to the CDC which can use specialized techniques that can increase the sensitivity of the culture. Also, blood samples can be sent through a state public health laboratory to CDC for tests that can reveal antibodies to STEC.
Antibiotics and anti-diarrheal medicines may increase the risk of HUS. The research shows that antibiotics actually increase the production of toxins that lead to more serious disease.
My daughter died from E. coli O157:H7 after being misdiagnosed for five days in three different hospitals.
Many doctors and hospitals failed to diagnose the E. coli, all believing another hospital or doctor had already performed the simple test.
My concerns about the possibility of tainted meat went ignored although Brooke exhibited all the classic symptoms.
Each hospital released her, claiming I was overreacting. My little girl’s life ended, and the music stopped forever.⁕ Elisa, mother of E. coli O157:H7 victim
One of the most common forms of food poisoning found in the United States.
According to the CDC, each year approximately 1.35 million Salmonella illnesses occur, 26,500 people are hospitalized, and 420 people die.
There are many types of Salmonella, including more than 2,500 strains. Nearly 100 of these strains cause infections in humans; and increasingly some of these types are resistant to antibiotics, an increasing public health danger which makes treatment for severe infections more difficult.
Those most vulnerable to Salmonellosis, (Salmonella infection) are children under 5 years old, adults over 65, those with a weakened immune system such as HIV and chemotherapy patients, and those on certain medications to reduce stomach acid.
Diagnosis is obtained by a stool test or blood test. Usually symptoms develop from 6 hours to one week after exposure, but some people can develop symptoms as long as several weeks after infection.
Life threatening complications can occur in those cases when disease spreads outside the intestines. If Salmonella infection enters the bloodstream (Bacteremia) it can infect other tissues throughout the body, including:
Severe Salmonella illness can lead to Reactive Arthritis, sometimes known as Reiter’s Syndrome, which is a painful inflammation in knees and joints that can last for years. Other consequences of Reactive Arthritis are eye irritation and blurred vision, as well as changes to the urogenital tract such as inflammation or pain during urination. Reactive Arthritis is difficult to treat and patients can suffer for years.
For some patients Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis become long-term problems. Between 5% and 30% of salmonellosis patients develop chronic gastrointestinal symptoms after acute infection with Salmonella.
" I remember the agonizing pain my son was in and the fear of the unknown. It was a frightening experience which lasted many months.
It is difficult to diagnose foodborne illness and most illnesses go undiagnosed as who really wants to give a stool sample?!
The time spent in the hospital, with Christopher not getting any better despite treatment, was terrifying. Once finally diagnosed the big question which lasted for way too long was,‘what could have poisoned my son, but didn’t poison me?’
Very scary to think something could be lurking in my home which seriously sickened my child. When the culprit was finally determined, I was outraged that a product like peanut butter crackers, which is in the home of millions, could have poisoned my son.”⁕ Gabrielle, mother of Salmonella Typhimurium survivor
Most Salmonella infections (Salmonellosis) resolve on their own within 4-7 days with home care, but up to 20% of cases require hospitalization.
You may be prescribed anti-diarrheal medication for gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. These medications can help relieve abdominal cramping, but they may also prolong the diarrhea associated with Salmonella infection.
Because the vomiting and diarrhea of Salmonella infection cause dehydration, it’s very important that you replace fluids and electrolytes. Pedialyte, Gatorade, and other oral rehydration solutions can be helpful for children.
If dehydration is not able to managed through home care, hospitalization may be needed so that you can receive intravenous fluids. Signs of severe dehydration are urinating only in small amounts, dry mouth, and sunken eyes.
Severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and ongoing fever are symptoms which need immediate medical evaluation and care.
Antibiotics are usually not prescribed for uncomplicated cases (those cases with gastroenteritis only) in patients 12 months to 50 years old because they may lengthen the time period you carry the bacteria and can infect others. Also, antibiotics can increase your risk of relapsing if your infection is uncomplicated.
However, if you are at risk for severe infection, the potential for antibiotics to improve disease or prevent complications seems to outweigh the risks of antibiotic use. Antibiotics are prescribed for the following patients with Salmonella infection:
If your doctor suspects your infection may have spread to your bloodstream or if you are at risk for developing invasive infection, blood tests will be ordered and you will be treated with antibiotics.
In rare cases, infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body like tissues around your brain and spinal cord, the lining of your heart or heart valves, bones or bone marrow, the lining of your blood vessels. In these cases, salmonellosis can cause death unless treated on time with antibiotics.
“The thing I remember the most about Ruby’s illness was the fear I was going to lose my daughter.
The doctors looked at me with sadness and said, ‘We gave her antibiotics and we hope they will work.’ I was holding her in my arms and she was burning up even with the constant rotation of ibuprofen and Tylenol.
It was the doctors not knowing that fueled my fear.
They didn’t know what had made her sick,
They didn’t know what would happen next,
They didn’t know if it could be made better.
All I wanted was my baby girl to be okay.”⁕ Melissa, mother of Salmonella survivor
Campylobacter is globally the most common cause of human gastroenteritis. In developing countries children under 2 are frequently infected, sometimes resulting in death. In the United States, Campylobacter is the primary bacterial cause of diarrheal illness, affecting 1.5 million Americans each year. Many infections are never diagnosed, much less reported to public health departments.
Typical symptoms are diarrhea (sometimes bloody), stomach cramps, nausea, headache, vomiting and fever. Symptoms can begin 2-5 days after infection and continue for a week to 10 days. Most cases resolve on their own with adequate fluids and do not require antibiotics. Some people continue to shed campylobacter for weeks in their stool after they recover.
Some people who have severe illness or who are in a more vulnerable category may need antibiotics.
Very young children, pregnant women, adults 65 and over, and people with weakened immune systems such as HIV, those undergoing chemotherapy, and patients with blood disorders are all more susceptible to developing severe disease.
Complications can include:
"I drank unpasteurized milk from a local eco-dairy. Four days later I experienced two hours of violent vomiting and diarrhea, followed by flu-like symptoms and exhaustion.
Within a week I had pain in my legs and tingling in my hands and feet. The next day my vision blurred and the doctor ordered an MRI. The MRI was normal, and I was sent back home.
My legs were on fire searing with pain that ironically, only hot water helped to soothe. They hurt so much that I retreated to bed, wrapping my legs in warm towels and heating blanket.
During the night, I woke up and realized I could not move.”⁕ Mari, Campylobacter survivor
Most people with Campylobacter infection (Campylobacteriosis) usually fully recover within one week.
If you have Campylobacter infection you should be especially careful to replace fluids and electrolytes lost to vomiting and diarrhea. Ice chips, water, and fluids like Gatorade and Pedialyte can be helpful to restore electrolytes and avoid dehydration. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization so that you can be given intravenous fluids.
If you feel very sick or have any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical care:
Antibiotics are appropriate in less than half of patients seen for medical care.
Patients with a high fever, bloody diarrhea, or stools more frequent than eight times per day are considered good candidates for antibiotic-treatment.
People with, or at risk for severe illness may need antibiotic treatment. This more vulnerable group includes adults over 65, pregnant women, and anyone with a compromised immune system such as a blood disorder, with HIV, or undergoing chemotherapy.
Shigella causes disease only in humans and primates and is one of the leading causes of diarrhea worldwide.
The various strains of Shigella are genetically closely related to the pathogen, E.coli. Shigella causes dysentery in an estimated 165 million infections across the globe, killing 600,000 each year. In the United States, about 500,000 people report having Shigella infection each year.
Infection with Shigella is diagnosed by culturing a stool sample.
Those most vulnerable are young children, the immunocompromised such as HIV and cancer patients, adults over 65, and men who have sex with men.
Common symptoms of Shigella infection vary in intensity. They include watery, sometimes bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. It takes between 2 days and a week before symptoms appear. Symptoms can last for several days but can continue for weeks. Most cases resolve on their own with adequate hydration and electrolyte solutions. Medicines to relieve diarrhea are not indicated as they can worsen infection.
You should seek care if diarrhea becomes bloody, you have a fever, are dehydrated, or suffer severe abdominal pain.
"Coming from a long-line of culinary enthusiasts, one day my wife and I decided to prepare some Chilean sea bass. After double-checking that the fish was fresh, we took the sea bass home, washed it with cold water and applied lemon juice to kill any parasites.
Then we baked it and enjoyed the meal.
But just 12 hours later, I felt like I was going to die. Suffering from intense gastrointestinal cramping and constant diarrhea and vomiting, for two days I was paralyzed with sickness and spent another three days feeling extremely weak as I recovered.
The cause of my symptoms? Shigella --confirmed by a lab and traced back to the Chilean sea bass we had so carefully prepared.
I'm not prone to stomach problems, but the pain and drain on my energy was nothing short of terrible."⁕ Ted, Shigella survivor
Complications may include:
Those with mild symptoms of Shigellosis usually recover with home care in 5 to 7 days.
Home treatment for mild Shigella infection is similar to that for any foodborne illness:
People who have fever, bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramping or tenderness, dehydration, weakened immune systems (such as from HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy) are more likely to develop severe disease that requires hospitalization. Children under 5 years, malnourished patients, children after measles, adults over 50 are all more likely to have bad outcomes.
For symptomatic adult patients with documented Shigella infection, many doctors suggest antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics are effective in shortening both the duration of fever and diarrhea and the duration of pathogen shedding in stool which can the risk of person-to-person spread.
Antibiotics are recommended for:
Antibiotic sensitivity tests will be run to make sure that the appropriate antibiotic is used to treat the specific strain of Shigella causing illness. Increasingly, antibiotic resistance is complicating treatment for this infection.
Complications of Shigellosis can include:
"During the night I had severe diarrhea and vomiting, then terrible chills. I went back to bed, but the next morning I was still having diarrhea and nausea.
I asked my husband to take me to the hospital. I could barely walk, and was too weak to get dressed, so I went to the hospital in my nightgown. At the hospital I had very low blood pressure, and a high temperature. Admitted on a 24 hour observation, I received IV fluids, and ice compresses to bring my temperature down. The diarrhea continued. Blood, urine and stool cultures were collected ... 24 hours later I was discharged with "viral gastritis."
After returning home I couldn't keep anything down, and was getting dehydrated again. I was still very weak. On Monday my husband called the doctor, who'd been away over the weekend. He told us to come in.
I was too weak to get dressed, so I went in my PJs. My doctor was concerned that instead of a "stomach virus" I had a bacterial illness. X-raying my abdomen showed my intestines were full of water. The doctor prescribed Flagyl to treat the bacterial infection. I gained a little strength, but still was unable to eat solid food, and I was very tired.
Two weeks later, the results of the cultures taken at the hospital had come in: I had shigellosis. We had never heard of shigella.
I was given an antibiotic more specific to shigella and I finally began to get better."⁕ Linda, Shigella survivor
Regarded as one of the most virulent pathogens, Listeria ranks third
in the number of deaths it causes, with a higher fatality
rate than Salmonella, and botulism.
Listeria monocytogenes causes 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths each year in the United States.
Among severe cases of invasive infections, 20% will be fatal.
High risk individuals include newborns, pregnant women, people with a weakened immune system, adults 65 and over, diabetics.
The time to develop symptoms after infection ranges from a few days to 3 weeks.
The symptoms are different depending on which part of the body is affected.
People with Listeria infection in the brain and spinal cord can have:
People with Listeria infection in the bloodstream can have:
People with Listeria infection in the digestive system can have:
You should seek medical care if you have any of the symptoms listed above and you are pregnant, older, have a serious medical condition, or take medicines that weaken the immune system.
“For me it was just a case of the runs but I was much more scared for my unborn child when I learned that Listeria likes to take up residence in the placenta and can cause stillbirth.
After consulting with my OB/GYN and two others, I decided that the risk of stillbirth was too great and allowed myself to be admitted to the hospital for 4 days to receive intravenous antibiotics 4 times a day to kill the bacteria but save the baby.
Several weeks later I was relieved to birth a baby that was alive. However, the foodborne illness and resulting treatment ended up affecting my baby.
I had flooded my body and the placenta with antibiotics during his final weeks of development so that he would live past his birth, but in the process the drugs had ravaged his digestion system so that he suffered terribly from colic, stomach pain, constant vomiting, and dysfunctional bowels. After taking him to many medical specialists, looking at his abdominal x-rays, and even mapping his DNA, the medical community realized they couldn’t help him.
When he was 6-and-a-half years old, we found a naturopath who suggested using the MRT test to design a customized anti-inflammatory diet for him. And it worked!
Finally, he growing and sleeping and feeling well. It had taken more than six years to be able to move beyond that foodborne illness in my pregnancy.”⁕ Elizabeth, Listeria survivor
Call a doctor or nurse if your newborn baby:
Tests used to diagnose Listeria infection will depend on your symptoms, whether you are pregnant, and if you have other medical conditions.
They may include:
Pregnant women usually only develop only mild flu like symptoms, but their infection can lead to spontaneous abortion, still birth, or life threatening infections for the newborn. Because of these dangers, pregnant mothers are advised not to eat soft cheeses, raw sprouts, unpasteurized dairy, or luncheon meats.
Listeria infections for people other than pregnant women can involve flu-like symptoms, persistent fever, muscle aches. Symptoms such as stiff neck, headache, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions require urgent medical care.
Treatment for Listeriosis depends on how serious symptoms are and how healthy the infected person is.
If symptoms are mild (fever, aches and pains, chills, vomiting or diarrhea) and the person is otherwise in good health, treatment may not be necessary. Instead, the doctor may instruct home care with close follow-up. Home treatment for mild Listeria infection is similar to that for any foodborne illness.
Pregnant women, anyone with a medical condition that weakens the immune system (diabetes, cancer, HIV), children and older adults are more likely to have invasive illness.
This means that the bacteria will have spread to the blood (bacteremia). These patients will be hospitalized and treated with IV antibiotics, and the patient will be closely monitored for any complications that might develop.
Invasive cases of Listeriosis have a high mortality rate of between 16-20%.
Any pregnant woman with a fever higher than 100.6°F and signs and symptoms that are consistent with Listeriosis for whom no other cause of illness is known should be tested and treated for presumptive Listeriosis.
Newborn babies with the infection will receive antibiotics as soon as they are born to treat sepsis, a life-threatening illness caused by an immune response to infection, and meningitis.
An infant born with Listeriosis may remain on antibiotics for several weeks while their body fights the infection.
Severe complications of Listeria infection can include:
It’s been 18 years tomorrow since we were diagnosed with listeria.
▲ Two of us were less than one day old
▲ One of us had just delivered twins
▲ Two of us were in the NICU
▲ One in the ICU.
▲ One of us had an APGAR of 1; a temperature couldn’t be registered.
▲ One of us had an APGAR of 4.
▲ One had a temperature drop so low that organs were beginning to shut down.
Seizures, jittery episodes, diarrhea, encephalitis, IV needles coming out of foreheads when no more veins could be found.
▲ Bruises everywhere.
▲ Central line heart surgery.
▲ Silent cries and hoarse voices from intubation.
▲ Early intervention.
▲ Projectile vomiting.
▲ More diarrhea.
▲ Trying to keep medications down when everything wanted to come up.
Praying for milestones to be reached. For healing to happen. Wondering about long-term consequences.
What do we have to say, 18 years later? Thank you ...⁕ Trissi and her twins, Chloe and Luke, survivors of Listeria
Allison Elizabeth was born at 3:13 AM at four pounds and thirteen ounces and covered with meconium. After a nine on the APGAR test, her dad holds her for about three minutes before she is rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Meanwhile, I’m still on the table getting stitched up with my head reeling.
“Why can’t I see my baby!!?” I asked my husband. I had no idea what was going to happen. After recovery and in my room, the hospital’s pediatrician comes in to give us news on Allison. She has Listeria. We never had heard of this before and truly did not know what to expect. The doctor tells us that we can expect Allison to stay in the NICU for four to six weeks. What can we do but pray?
My husband was able to see Allison very soon after her trip to the NICU. He cries to this day remembering what he saw ... Our tiny, new baby hooked up to everything you could imagine. She was under an oxygen dome. She had a tube going up her nose to her stomach for feeding, a tube running into her belly button, one in her arm for antibiotics. He couldn’t even hold her.
I couldn’t see her for forty-eight hours. When I was healed enough to be wheeled to see her, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The tubes, the green-lighted blanket, the monitors beeping endlessly. Was this my baby? I couldn’t hold her for two more days. I actually had to leave her there and go home.
How could I leave her now? I have never felt so helpless in my life.
Allison was a fighter. She was off of oxygen in five days and home in two weeks. She was small, but she was strong and healthy. We thank God everyday for our beautiful girl. It is very hard for me, or anyone else, to imagine that me, my child, and family had to go through such hell because of a piece of cheese. Something so trivial, so taken for granted; we had no idea what could happen.
And now we can’t help but think about those families that weren’t as fortunate as us. Their loss is meaningless unless we change the way things are done.⁕ Erin, mother of Listeria survivor
I was one of more than 25 individuals who was sickened by salad at a work-related banquet in a California hotel.
My symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and painful abdominal cramping were so severe that I went to a hospital emergency room for treatment. This hospital visit was just the beginning of an ongoing battle with food poisoning that I am still fighting ...
I have developed further gastrointestinal issues, likely all related to eating that salad ... I am no longer working. My bloating can be so bad at times that clothes do not fit. I can never be too far from a bathroom.
My life has been completely altered by this preventable tragedy.
I was healthy with no prior complaints of bowel abnormalities before I became a victim of foodborne illness. I do not want anyone else to have to suffer the way that I have. I want the life that I had before food poisoning back.⁕ Barbara, Norovirus survivor
KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE
Our mission:
As the voice of people affected by foodborne illness, we collaborate with partners in academia, the food industry, and government to prevent foodborne illness. We advocate for effective food safety policy and facilitate culture change to increase food safety.
Stop Foodborne Illness is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent the law allows.
Wyoming Department of Public Health
401 Hathaway Building
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Call 1-866-571-0944 (toll free) or (307) 777-7656
Wyoming Department of Health: Epidemiology Unit
Infectious Disease Epidemiology + Food Safety
Nevada HHS/ Division of Public and Behavioral Health
Environmental Health
4126 Technology Way 4150 Technology Way
Carson City, NV 89706 Carson City, NV 89706
http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Food/Food_Establishments_Home/
Southern Nevada Health District Food Safety
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/Health-Topics/food-safety/
Report a Foodborne Illness
https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/Health-Topics/foodborne-illness/
702-759-1300
South Dakota Department of Health
Office of Health Protection
600 E Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-4945
doh.sd.gov/food/
South Dakota Department of Agriculture
523 E Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-5425
Preventing Foodborne Illness
https://doh.sd.gov/food/prevention.aspx
Arkansas Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health
4815 West Markham Street, Slot 46
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-661-2171
www.healthy.arkansas.gov
Public Health Safety | Foodborne Disease
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/foodborne-disease
Utah Department of Health/Report a Foodborne Illness
Cannon Health Building
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
888-222-2542
Utah Association of Local Health Departments
Salt Lake County Health Department
Food Protection
Vermont Department of Health
Public Health Laboratory
108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
800-439-8550
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
116 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05620
802-828-2430
Virginia Department of Health
Food Safety
109 Governor Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804-864-7454
350 Capitol Street, Room 702
Charleston, WV 25301
304-558-2971
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-1865
DC Department of Health Food Safety https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/division-food
DC Department of Health Foodborne Disease Surveillance https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/foodborne-illness-surveillance
National Resources
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA Center for Food Safety
888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366)
www.fda.gov
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Meat & Poultry Hotline: 1-888-674-6854
USDA- Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)
www.fsis.usda.gov
US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
www.foodsafety.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
800-232-4636
www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/
Antibiotic Resistance Action Center
The Center for Food Safety
202-547-9359
International Food Information Council Foundation
202-296-6540
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
www.cste.org
770-458-3811
_________________________________________
Office on Women’s Health
womenshealth.gov/index.html
US National Library of Medicine
www.nlm.nih.gov/
Medline Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov/
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Food and Water Safety for Travelers
https://www.iamat.org/food-and-water-safety
Puerto Rico Done
https://www.fns.usda.gov/contact/puerto-rico-department-health
Guam Dept of Health
Guam Department of Agriculture
US Virgin Islands
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Food Protection Program
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06134
860-509-7297
Hartford Health Department
131 Coventry Street
Hartford, CT 06112
860-757-4726 or 860-757-4729
New Haven Health Department
54 Meadow Street
New Haven, CT 06519
203-946-6999
Texas Department of State Health Services
Food Establishments Group
PO Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714
512- 834-6753
www.dshs.state.tx.us/foodestablishments/
Texas Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition
1700 N Congress, 11th Floor
Austin, TX 78701
512-463-7476
www.squaremeals.org/
http://www.squaremeals.org/FandNResources/FarmtoSchool/ToolsforSchools/FoodSafety.aspx
Texas Health Departments (by District)
www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/lhds.shtm
www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/nonlhd.shtm
Infectious Disease Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite T801
Austin, TX 78714
512-776-7676
www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/foodborne_illness/
Austin Food Establishment Inspections
https://data.austintexas.gov/dataset/Restaurant-Inspection-Scores/ecmv-9xxi
Dallas Food Establishment Inspections
http://www2.dallascityhall.com/FoodInspection/SearchScores.cfm
Fort Worth Food Establishment Inspections
www.fortworthgov.org/applications/Health/
Houston Food Establishment Inspections
http://houston.tx.gegov.com/media/search.cfm
San Antonio Food Establishment Inspections
www.sanantonio.gov/health/Food-Establishment-Inspection.html
Tennessee Department of Health
425 5th Avenue North
Cordell Hull Building, 3rd Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615-741-3111
http://tn.gov/health
Division of Foodborne Illness
615-741-7247
Foodborne Illness Complaint Hotline
800-293-8228 (toll free)
Tennessee Restaurant Inspections
http://tn.gov/health/topic/eh-inspections
Health Departments in Tennessee by County
http://tn.gov/health/topic/localdepartments
Shelby County Health Department
814 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
901-222-9243
www.shelbycountytn.gov/index.aspx?nid=1094
Metro Public Health Department of Nashville & Davidson County
311 23rd Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
615-340-5616
www.nashville.gov/Health-Department/Environmental-Health/Food-Protection-Services.aspx
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Food Protection
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-898-3432
http://www.scdhec.gov/FoodSafety/
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Compliance
State Capitol /Wade Hampton Building, 5th Floor
Columbia, SC 29211
803-734-2210
http://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/consumer-protection/foodfeed-safety-compliance/
South Carolina Food Establishment Inspections
www.scdhec.gov/environment/envhealth/food/htm/inspection-rating/
Rhode Island Department of Health
Food Protection
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-5960
401-272-5952 (emergency after hours)
http://www.health.ri.gov/programs/foodprotection/
Rhode Island Department of Environment
Agriculture Division
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-2781
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/agricult/index.php
Rhode Island Food Establishment Inspections
http://www.health.ri.gov/food/
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
866-366-3723
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Department of Health
625 Forster Street, 8th Floor West
Harrisburg, PA 17120
877-PA-HEALTH
www.portal.health.state.pa.us
Pennsylvania Food Establishment Inspections
https://www.pafoodsafety.state.pa.us/web/inspection/publicinspectionsearch.aspx
Oregon Health Authority
Healthy Environments/Foodborne Illness
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 640
Portland, OR 97232
971-673-0451
public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/FoodSafety/Pages/index.aspx
erica.vaness@state.or.us
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Food Safety Program
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-4720
www.oregon.gov/ODA/fsd/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Health Departments (by County)
public.health.oregon.gov/ProviderPartnerResources/LocalHealthDepartmentResources/Pages/lhd.aspx
Multnomah County (Portland) Food Establishment Inspections
www3.multco.us/MCHealthInspect/ListSearch.aspx
Oklahoma Department of Health
Food Safety and Foodborne Diseases
1000 NE 10th Street, Room 605
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
405-271-4060
800-522-0203 (toll free)
www.ok.gov/health/Disease,_Prevention,_Preparedness/Acute_Disease_Service/Disease_Information/Food_Safety_and_Foodborne_Diseases/
Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry
2800 N Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-3864
www.oda.state.ok.us/food/
Oklahoma Food Establishment Inspections
www.phin.state.ok.us/Inspections/
Ohio Department of Health
Food Safety Program
246 N High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-466-1390
www.odh.ohio.gov/odhprograms/eh/foods/food2.aspx
Find Your Local Health Department (Ohio)
odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/lhdinformationsystem/Directory/GetMyLHD
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Food Safety Division
8995 E Main Street
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
614-728-6250
www.agri.ohio.gov/foodsafety
www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/meat/meat.aspx
Columbus Public Health
Food Protection Program
240 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-645-8191
publichealth.columbus.gov/food-protection.aspx
Columbus Food Establishment Inspections
www.decadeonline.com/main.phtml?agency=COL
Franklin County Food Establishment Inspections
www.myfcph.org/foodinspections.php
Cleveland Food Establishment Inspections
www.clevelandhealth.org/network/environment/review_inspection_report.php
Cincinnati Food Establishment Inspections
www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/health/inspection/
Ohio Inspections by County
www.ohioinspections.org/category.php
North Dakota Department of Health
600 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2372
www.ndhealth.gov/disease/GI/default.aspx
North Dakota Division of Food and Lodging
www.ndhealth.gov/foodlodging
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Meat Inspection
www.nd.gov/ndda/program/meat-inspection
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
NC Food Safety
4000 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-733-7366
http://www.ncfoodsafety.com/
North Carolina Department of Health
Food Protection Program
5605 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-707-5854
ehs.ncpublichealth.com/faf/food/index.htm
Report a Foodborne Illness
NCDPH Epidemiology
225 N McDowell Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
919-733-3419 (24 hr access)
epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/report.html#who
North Carolina Health Department Directors (by County)
http://www.ncalhd.org/directors
Restaurant Inspections
www.wral.com/5onyourside/restaurants/page/1001540/
New York Department of Agriculture & Markets
Food Safety & Inspection
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
518-457-4492
www.agriculture.ny.gov/FS/FSHome.html
New York Department of Health
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12237
800-458-1158 (toll free)
518-473-4436
www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/food_safety/index.htm
New York Health Departments (by Region, District and County)
www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/doh_pub_contacts_map.htm
New York City Restaurant Inspection
www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/services/restaurant-inspection.shtml
New Mexico Environment Department
Food Program
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-476-9102
www.nmenv.state.nm.us/fod/Food_Program
New Mexico Department of Health
1190 South Saint Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87502
505-827-2613
www.health.state.nm.us
New Mexico Public Health Offices Map (by County)
http://nmhealth.org/location/public/
Albuquerque Food Inspection and Safety
www.cabq.gov/envhealth/inspections
New Jersey Department of Health
Food and Drug Safety Program
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-826-4935
www.nj.gov/health/foodanddrugsafety/consumer.shtml
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
PO Box 330
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-588-7606
www.state.nj.us/agriculture/news/hottopics/topics070319.html
New Jersey Departments of Health (by County or Municipality)
www.nj.gov/health/lh/directory/lhdselectcounty.shtml
Rutgers University/NJ Agricultural Experiment Station
88 Lipman Drive
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
njaes.rutgers.edu/health/
New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services
Public Health Services/Food Protection
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-4589
www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/fp
Foodborne Illness Surveillance
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03301
603-271-5300 (24 hr)
800-852-3345, x5300 (toll free 24 hr)
www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/surveillance/food.htm
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Epidemiology/Foodborne Illness
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-2937
dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/EPI/Pages/Foodborne.aspx
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Consumer Protection
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-3422
ttp://www.nda.nebraska.gov/fscp/index.html
Nebraska Health Departments (by County and Rural District)
dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/puh_oph_lhd.aspx#Websites
Omaha-Douglas County Health Department
Disease Control/Foodborne Illness
1111 South 41st Street at Pacific
Omaha, NE 68105
402-444-7214
402-444-7000 (after hours)
www.douglascountyhealth.com/disease-a-immunization/food-borne-illness
Restaurant Inspections
www.douglascountyhealth.com/food-a-drink/food-facility-ratings?rname=all&submit=Search
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
3140 N Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
402-441-6280
www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/health/environ/consumer/food/foodsafety.htm
Food Establishment Inspections
logisrv01.lincoln.ne.gov/health/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=EPH.Default
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Food & Consumer Safety
1400 Broadway
Helena, MT 59604
406-444-4542
www.dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/fcs/index.shtml
Montana Health Departments (by County or Tribal Agency)
www.dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/phep/countytribalhealthdepts.shtml
Montana Food Star Award Program
http://web.hhs.mt.gov/publichealth/fcs/foodstar.shtml
Montana DPHHS Food and Consumer Safety
http://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/FCSS
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
866-628-9891 (toll free)
www.health.mo.gov/safety/foodsafety
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Food Safety
1616 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4211
mda.mo.gov/connect/foodsafety.php
Kansas City Department of Healt
Food Protection Program
2400 Troost Ave, Suite 3000
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-513-6315
http://kcmo.gov/health/environmental-health-services/environmental-public-health-program/
Kansas City Food Establishment Inspections
www.inspectionsonline.us/foodsafety/mousakansascity/search.htm
St. Louis County Department of Health
Safe Food Center
www.stlouisco.com/HealthandWellness/FoodandRestaurants
St. Louis Restaurant Inspections
www.stlouisco.com/HealthandWellness/FoodandRestaurants/RestaurantInspections
Mississippi Department of Health
Food Safety, Restaurant Inspections
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
866-458-4948
msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/43,0,377.html
Reporting a Foodborne Illness
800-556-0003
601-576-7400 (after hours/holidays)
Mississippi Public Health Laboratory
570 East Woodrow Wilson
Jackson, MS 39216
601- 576-7582
601-576-7725 (Office of Epidemiology)
msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,73.html
Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce
Consumer Protection
PO Box 1609
Jackson, MS 39215
601-359-1148
https://www.mdac.ms.gov/bureaus-departments/regulatory-services/consumer-protection/
Minnesota Department of Public Health
Food Safety
PO Box 64975
St Paul, MN 55164
651-201-5000
888-345-0823 (toll free from greater MN)
www.health.state.mn.us/foodsafety
Reporting a Suspected Foodborne Illness
877-366-3455
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/foodborne/reporting.html
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Food Safety
625 Robert Street North
St Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-201-6000
800-967-2474
www.mda.state.mn.us/food/safety
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control (IDECP)
625 N Robert Street
PO Box 64975
St Paul, MN 55164
77-676-5414 (toll free from greater MN)
877-FOOD-ILL (877-366-3) Foodborne Illness Hotline
Minneapolis Department of Health
Food Safety Program
Public Service Center
250 S 4th Street, Room 510
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-673-2301
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/health/inspections/foodsafety
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Food Safety
PO Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909
800-292-3939
www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-50772—,00.html
www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_2875_31948-8257–,00.html
Michigan Department of Community Health
Bureau of Disease Control, Prevention, Epidemiology
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, MI 48913
517-373-3740
517-335-9030 (emergency after hours)
www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2945_5104—,00.html
Michigan Food Inspections
secure1.state.mi.us/misafe/Default.aspx
Kent County (Grand Rapids) Health Department
700 Fuller Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616- 632-6900
www.accesskent.com/Health/FoodServices/default.htm
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Food Protection Program
305 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-983-6700
617-522-3700 (emergency/after hours)
www.mass.gov/dph/fpp
Massachusetts Health Departments (by County)
www.healthguideusa.org/massachusetts_local_health_departments.htm
Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education
www.mafoodsafetyeducation.info
City of Boston Department of Health
Inspectional Services Department/Health Division
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th floor
Boston, MA 02118
617-635-5300
www.cityofboston.gov/isd/health
Worcester Department of Public Health\
25 Meade Street
Worcester, MA 01610
508-799-8531
www.worcesterma.gov/ocm/public-health
Maryland Department of Health
Office of Food Protection; Center for Retail Food, Plan and Process Reviews
6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1301
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-767-8400
phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/OEHFP/OFPCHS/SitePages/Home.aspx
Foodborne Illness/Emerging Infections Program
phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/EIP/SitePages/Home.aspx
Baltimore City Health Department\
1001 E Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-4398
baltimorehealth.org/foodcontrol.html
http://health.baltimorecity.gov/environmental-health/food-facilities
Montgomery County (Germantown, Silver Spring) Department of Health
Disease Control and Epidemiology
Dennis Avenue Health Center
2000 Dennis Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
240-777-1755
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/Program.aspx?id=PHS/PHSDControl-p270.html
Howard County (Columbia) Department of Health
Food Protection Program
7178 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-1772
866-313-6300 (toll free 24/7 access)
www.howardcountymd.gov/DisplayPrimary.aspx?id=4294969400
Food Establishment Inspection Program
howard.envhealth.info/
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Environmental Health
221 State Street
Augusta, ME 04333
207-287-8016
www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/el/postings.htm
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
286 Water Street, State House Station 11
Augusta, ME 04333
800-606-0215
www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/food_safety_in_maine.html
Report a Foodborne Illness
800-821-5821 (24 hr access)
Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources
www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/index.html
University of Maine Food Safety Program
5741 Libby Hall
Orono, ME 04469
207-581-3188
extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/
Portland Health & Human Services
389 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-874-8633
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/610/Food-Safety
Portland Restaurant Inspections
www.pressherald.com/special/portland_maine_restaurant_inspection_report.html
Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals
Food and Drug Unit
PO Box 629
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0629
225-342-9500
dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/300
Louisiana Community Health Units (by Parish)
www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/394
Reporting Foodborne/Waterborne Disease
1450 Poydras Street, Suite 2146
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-568-8316
www.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/535
Louisiana Restaurant Inspections
inspections.eatsafe.la.gov/default.aspx
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Food Quality
PO Box 1951
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
225-925-3772
http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/food-safety/
New Orleans Health Department
1300 Perdido Street, Suite 8E18
New Orleans, LA 70112
311
www.nola.gov/health-department/
Kentucky Department Public Health
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 E Main Street, 1E-B
Frankfort, KY 40621
502-564-7181
www.chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/food.htm
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Consumer & Environmental Protection
107 Corporate Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-573-0282
www.kyagr.com/consumer/division-of-food-distribution.html
Louisville Health and Wellness
400 East Gray Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502-574-6520
http://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/food-safety
Restaurant Inspections
http://portal.louisvilleky.gov/applications/RestaurantInspectionScores
Lexington-Fayette County Health Department
Environmental Health
804A Newtown Circle
Lexington, KY 40511
859-231-9791
www.lexingtonhealthdepartment.org/ProgramsServices/FoodProtection/tabid/200/Default.aspx
Barren River District (Bowling Green) Health Department
1109 State Street
Bowling Green, KY 42102
270-781-8039
270-202-5785 (24 hr access)
www.barrenriverhealth.org/mx/hm.asp?id=RestaurantScores
Kansas Department of Agriculture
Food Safety
109 SW Ninth Avenue
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-3556
https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/food-safety-lodging
Kansas Restaurant Inspections
https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/food-safety-lodging/inspection-results
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Curtis State Office Building
1000 SW Jackson
Topeka, Kansas 66612
785-296-1500
www.kdheks.gov/epi/foodborne.htm
Sedgwick County (Wichita) Health Department
1900 E Ninth Street
Wichita, KS 67214
316-660-7300
www.sedgwickcounty.org/healthdept/
Report a Foodborne Illness
316-660-5555 (24 hr access)
Johnson County (Overland Park) Health Department
http://www.jocogov.org/health
Wyandotte County (Kansas City) Health Department
619 Ann Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
913-321-4803
www.wycokck.org/dept.aspx?id=488
Iowa Department of Public Health
Bureau of Environmental Health
321 E 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-7689
www.idph.state.ia.us/eh/food_safety.asp
Iowa Food System Council
www.iowafoodsystemscouncil.org
Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE)
www.idph.state.ia.us/Cade/Foodborne.aspx
Iowa State University Food Safety Project
www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/
Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals
Food and Consumer Safety Bureau
www.state.ia.us/government/dia/page3.html
Polk County (Des Moines) Health Department
1907 Carpenter Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-286-3798
ms.polkcountyiowa.gov/health/
Linn County (Cedar Rapids) Health Department
935 2nd Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-892-5000
http://ia-linncounty.civicplus.com/603/Food-Safety
Scott County (Davenport) Health Department
Food Protection Program
600 W Fourth Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801
563-326-8618
www.scottcountyiowa.com/health/food.php
Indiana Department of Health
Food Protection
100 North Senate Avenue, N855
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-234-8569
www.in.gov/isdh/20640.htm
Indiana Food Protection (by County)
www.in.gov/isdh/23962.htm
Report a Complaint to the Health Department
www.in.gov/isdh/20887.htm
Indiana Food Defense Program
317-233-8476
www.in.gov/isdh/20994.htm
Marion County (Indianapolis area) Department of Food Safety
3838 N Rural Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
317-221-2222
www.mchd.com/fdp.htm
Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health
200 E Berry Street, Suite 360
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
260-449-7561
http://www.allencountyhealth.com/get-informed/environmental-health-hazards/consumer-alerts/
Evansville & Vanderburgh County Department of Health
Food Safety Program
420 Mulberry Street
Evansville, Indiana 47713-1231
812- 435-2400
www.evansville.in.gov/Index.aspx?page=623
Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761
217-782-4977
www.idph.state.il.us
Report Foodborne Illness (Health Departments by County)
www.idph.state.il.us/local/alpha.htm
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Food Inspection
PO Box 19281, State Fairgrounds
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
217- 782-2172
www.agr.state.il.us/programs/consumer/foodinsp.html
Restaurant Inspections (Chicago)
webapps.cityofchicago.org/healthinspection.jsp
Report Foodborne Illness
Chicago: 312-747-3663 | @foodbornechi (Twitter)
Suburban Cook County: @foodsafecookco (Twitter)
Cook County Department of Public Health
Food Safety Resources
15900 S Cicero Avenue – Building E
Oak Forest, IL 60452
708-633-4000
http://cookcountypublichealth.org/services/food-safety
Kane County Health Department
Environmental Health
1240 N Highland Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
Or
1750 Grandstand Place
Elgin, IL 60123
630-444-3040
kanehealth.com/food_safety.htm
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Food Protection Program
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
208-334-6996
www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/FoodProtection/tabid/96/Default.aspx
Questions/To Request Informational CD
208-334-5938
Idaho Health Districts (Reporting Illness, Restaurant Inspections, and More)
www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Health/HealthDistricts/tabid/97/Default.aspx
Idaho Department of Agriculture
Food Safety Program
2270 Old Penitentiary Road
Boise, Idaho 83712
208-332-8500
www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/InspectionsExams/FoodSafety/indexfoodSafetyHome.php
Boise Area Food Establishment Inspection Records
secure.cdhd.idaho.gov/cdhpublic/LicenseBrowser.aspx
Hawaii Department of Health
591 Ala Moana Boulevard
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-586-8012
health.hawaii.gov/food-drug/for-consumers/
http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/ag-resources/food-safety-on-farm/
Reporting Foodborne Illness (District Health Offices)
Oahu 808-586-4586
Maui 808-984-8213
Kauai 808-241-3563
Hilo 808-933-0912
Kona 808-322-4877
808-566-5049 (after hours)
800-360-2575 (toll free)
Hawaii Food Education
www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/NEW/index.html
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
hdoa.hawaii.gov/agricultural-resources/
Georgia Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health
2 Peachtree Street NW, 13 Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-657-6534
dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health
Environmental Health Inspections
dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health-inspections
Digital Health Department
http://www.garrisonenterprises.com/
Fulton County Health & Wellness (Atlanta)
141 Pryor Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-612-4000
fultoncountyga.gov/dhw-home
Restaurant Inspections
fultoncountyga.gov/dhw-restaurant-inspections
Richmond County Health Department (Augusta)
950 Laney-Walker Boulevard
Augusta, Georgia 30901
706-721-5900
www.ecphd.com/common/content.asp?PAGE=661
Columbus Department of Public Health
Office of Environmental Health
2100 Comer Avenue
Columbus, GA 31904
888-810-4316 toll free
www.columbushealth.com/chd/columbusHealth/index.cfm/community/environmental-health/
Emergency/After Hours
1-800-PUB-HLTH (782-4584)
Florida Department of Health
Food and Waterborne Disease Program
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #A08
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-4401
doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/foodsurveillance/FoodandWaterborneDiseaseProgramFinalIndexPage.html
On Facebook
www.facebook.com/FLDepartmentofHealth
Reporting a Problem with Food in Florida
doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/foodsurveillance/HowtoReportaProblemwithFoodinFlorida.htm
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Food Safety
3125 Conner Boulevard, Suite D
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
850-245-5595
University of Florida Food Safety and Quality
fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/foodsafety/
Florida Restaurant Inspections (All Counties)
www.ledgerdata.com/restaurant-inspections/alachua/
Hillsborough County Department of Health (Tampa)
1105 E Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33602
813-307-8000
www.hillscountyhealth.org/
Dade County Department of Health (Miami)
Miami-Dade Service Sites
http://miamidade.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/service-sites.htm
Contact 24/7
305-324-2400
www.dadehealth.org
Duval County Department of Health (Jacksonville)
900 University Boulevard, N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
904-253-1000
www.dchd.net/our-programs/epidemiology
Delaware Department of Health
Office of Food Protection
417 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
302-744-4546
www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/ofp.html
Food Establishment Inspection Reports
dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/Default.aspx
Colorado Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South B-2
Denver, Colorado 80246=
303-692-3645
www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/
Colorado Department of Agriculture
Fruit and Vegetable Section
PO Box 407
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-4749
Reporting Foodborne Illness by County
www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CDPHE-Main/CBON/1251588365684
Colorado Inspection & Consumer Services
www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/ag_ICS/CBON/1251599400393
Food Safety (Statewide)
www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/ag_Main/CBON/1251634013356
Tri-County (Denver area) Health Department
6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 100
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-220-9200
http://www.tchd.org/246/Restaurants-Grocery
http://www.tchd.org/171/Infectious-Diseases
Denver Restaurant Health Inspection Reports
www.denvergov.org/eh/tabid/435231
Denver Foodborne Illness Investigations
www.denvergov.org/?TabId=391974
El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Food Safety
www.elpasocountyhealth.org/service/food-safety
California Department of Public Health
Food and Drug Branch
1500 Capitol Avenue, MS 7602
Sacramento, CA 95899
916- 650-6500
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs (Follow link to Food, Drug, and Radiation Safety)
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Inspection Services Division
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-900-5020
inspection_services@cdfa.ca.gov
Consumer Complaints (Statewide)
800-495-3232
Restaurant Inspections by County
www.ca.gov/OnlineServices/OS_Consumers_inspections.html
Los Angeles Area Food Illness Report
https://www.visualcmr.net/webvcmr/pages/public/pub_FBI_Report.aspx
Los Angeles Area Restaurant/Market Ratings
publichealth.lacounty.gov/rating/
San Diego Food Complaints
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/fhd/food/foodcomplaints.html
San Diego Foodborne Epidemiology
http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/fhd/food/foodborneepidemiology.html
Santa Clara County Food Facility Inspections
sccinspections.org/onlineinsp/
San Francisco Restaurant Safety Scores
www.sfdph.org/dph/EH/Food/score/default.asp
San Francisco Food Safety
www.sfdph.org/dph/EH/Food/default.asp
Arizona Department of Health Services
www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/food-safety-environmental-services/index.php
Office of Food Safety and Environmental Health
150 N 18th Avenue, #140
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-364-3118
Maricopa County Department of Public Health
4041 N Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-506-6900
www.maricopa.gov/publichealth/
Maricopa County Food Safety Inspections
www.azcentral.com/HealthInspectionMaps
Pima County Health Department
webcms.pima.gov/government/health_department
Pima County Consumer Health & Food Safety Administration
webcms.pima.gov/health/food-safety/
Pima County Restaurant Ratings
www.pima.gov/restaurantratings/
State of Alaska Food Safety and Sanitation Program
555 Cordova Street, 5th Floor
Anchorage, AK 99501
907- 269-7501 / 877-233-3663 (87 Safe Food – toll free)
www.dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/index.htm
Food Safety & Sanitation by Location
www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/Food/sanstaff.htm
Food Safety Inspections (Statewide)
www.dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/Food/food_inspections.htm
Making a Complaint (Food and Sanitation)
http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/Food/Complaints.html
Food Safety for Consumers
dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/consumers/consumers.html
Foodborne & Waterborne Disease Information
www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/id/dod/foodwater/default.htm
Anchorage Area Food Safety Inspections
hhs.muni.org/fss/
Alabama Department of Public Health
201 Monroe Street, Suite 1250
Montgomery, AL 36104
334-206-5300 / 800-ALA-1818
www.adph.org
Division of Food, Milk, and Lodging
www.adph.org/foodsafety/
Food Establishment Scores
www.adph.org/foodscores
County Health Departments in Alabama
www.adph.org/administration/Default.asp?id=505
Jefferson County Department of Health
1400 Sixth Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
205-933-9110
www.jcdh.org
Mobile County Health Department
251 North Bayou Street
Mobile, AL 36603
251-690-8158
www.mobilecountyhealth.org
Mobile County Department of Food & Lodging
251-690-8116