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Reporting Foodborne Illnesses - the Information you need - Free

Food Safety - Reporting Illnesses and
Product Complaints

Have you experienced food poisoning or other food illness, such as salmonella, botulism, or e. coli, from a purchased food or restaurant? If the company is unresponsive, you may wish to report it to the appropriate government agency. Here's how to do it:

Foodborne Illness

• Reporting Foodborne Illnesses and Food Product Complaints (FDA [ Food Safety)
• Reporting Foodborne Illness (Center for Disease Control - CDC)
• Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illness: A Primer for Physicians (AMA, FDA, CDC, FSIS)

Meat, Poultry, & Egg Products

• Contact: Food Safety and Inspection Service of USDA

Seafood, Fruits, Vegetables, & Other Non-Meat Food Products

• Contact: Food and Drug Administration

Food Away from Home E.g. caterers, restaurants, community picnics

• Contact your state or local Health Department.
  Phone numbers may be found in your local phone directory.

Advertising and Fraud Complaints

• Contact: Federal Trade Commission
• Contact: State, County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices

Water

Bottled water

• Contact: Food and Drug Administration

Ground water and drinking water

• Contact: Environmental Protection Agency

Dietary Supplements

• Contact: Food and Drug Administration

Other Complaints

Reports and complaints about the following should be made to the agencies listed. Phone numbers can be found in your local phone directory:

• Unsolicited products in the mail--U.S. Postal Service
• Accidental poisonings--Poison control centers or hospitals
• Pesticides or air and water pollution--U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Hazardous household products (including toys, appliances, and chemicals)--Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1-800-638-2772
• Alcoholic beverages--Department of Treasury's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
• Drug abuse and controlled substances--Department of Justice's Drug Enforcement Administration
• Hazardous chemicals in the workplace--Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Warranties--Federal Trade Commission
• Dispensing and sales practices of pharmacies--State board of pharmacy
• Medical practice--State certification board