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How to Report Food Poisoning: Who to Call and What to Do

Last reviewed: June 1, 2026  ·  Written by James Carter, Consumer Rights Researcher  ·  Independent resource — not a government site

Quick answer

Report food poisoning to your local health department by calling 311, to the FDA at fda.gov/safety for packaged foods, or the USDA at 1-888-674-6854 for meat and poultry. Save the food packaging.

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Last verified: June 14, 2026 All contact numbers, websites, and procedures confirmed current.

Quick answer: Report food poisoning to your local health department first — they investigate outbreaks fastest. Also report to the FDA at fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda (for packaged food) or the USDA at 1-888-674-6854 (for meat and poultry). If you are seriously ill, call 911 or go to an emergency room first.

Reporting food poisoning is one of the most important public health actions you can take — your report can trigger an investigation that prevents hundreds of others from getting sick. Every major U.S. food safety outbreak, from romaine lettuce E. coli to peanut butter salmonella, was identified because sick individuals reported to their local health departments.

Which Agency Handles Food Poisoning Reports?

Food TypeAgencyContact
Restaurant or food serviceLocal health departmentDial 311
Packaged / processed foodFDA MedWatchfda.gov/safety | 1-800-551-3989
Meat, poultry, or egg productsUSDA FSISfsis.usda.gov | 1-888-674-6854
Suspected outbreak (multiple sick)CDC + local health deptcdc.gov/foodsafety
Food fraud or mislabellingFDA + FTCreportfraud.ftc.gov

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How to Report Food Poisoning Step by Step

  1. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe. Call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately if you experience bloody diarrhea, high fever (above 102°F), signs of dehydration, neurological symptoms, or if a child, elderly person, or immunocompromised individual is affected.
  2. Save the food if possible. Do not throw away the suspected food. Seal it in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge or freezer. Include the packaging with lot number and best-by date. Health investigators may want to test it.
  3. Write down everything you ate in the last 72 hours. Food poisoning symptoms typically appear 6–72 hours after eating contaminated food. A detailed food history is critical for investigators to identify the source.
  4. Report to your local health department. Call 311 or find your local health department at naccho.org/membership/lhd-directory. This is the fastest path to triggering a restaurant inspection or outbreak investigation.
  5. Report packaged foods to the FDA. If the illness is linked to packaged, processed, or imported food, report at fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda or call 1-800-551-3989. Include the product name, lot number, and store where purchased.
  6. Report meat or poultry to the USDA. If the suspected food is beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or eggs, contact the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service at fsis.usda.gov or call 1-888-674-6854.
  7. Leave a review to warn others. After reporting to authorities, leave a factual review on Google Maps, Yelp, or the restaurant’s page noting you reported a food safety concern. Do not make accusations — simply state you became ill after eating there and reported it.
  8. Follow up with your doctor. Get tested to identify the pathogen — salmonella, E. coli, listeria, norovirus, and campylobacter all require different treatments. A confirmed diagnosis strengthens any official investigation.

Common Food Poisoning Symptoms and Timing

PathogenCommon SourceSymptoms Appear
SalmonellaEggs, poultry, produce6–48 hours
E. coli O157Ground beef, leafy greens1–10 days
NorovirusRestaurants, shellfish12–48 hours
ListeriaDeli meat, soft cheese1–4 weeks
CampylobacterRaw chicken, unpasteurised milk2–5 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth reporting food poisoning if I’ve already recovered?
Absolutely yes. Your report could prevent an outbreak that sickens hundreds of people. Health departments track reports over time — your individual case may be the one that triggers an investigation into a restaurant or product that has been causing illness undetected.
Can I sue a restaurant for food poisoning?
Yes, if you can prove the restaurant’s food caused your illness. You will need a doctor’s diagnosis, ideally a lab-confirmed pathogen match to the restaurant’s food, and documentation of damages (medical bills, lost wages). A personal injury attorney can advise on the strength of your case.
How long does a food poisoning investigation take?
Local health department inspections of restaurants typically happen within 24–72 hours of a report. FDA and USDA investigations of packaged foods can take weeks to months. Outbreak investigations involving multiple states are coordinated by the CDC and can take several months.
What if multiple people got sick from the same meal?
This is a suspected outbreak — report it immediately to your local health department and mention that multiple people are ill. Outbreaks are prioritised for rapid investigation. Collect names and contact information of all affected individuals to provide to investigators.
Can I report food poisoning anonymously?
Yes. Most local health departments and the FDA accept anonymous reports. However, providing your contact information and agreeing to a follow-up interview significantly helps investigators identify and stop the source of contamination.

For related guides see: How to Report EPA Violations, How to Report Garbage Not Picked Up, and our Environmental Reporting Hub.

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