Food poisoning
Definition of food poisoning
Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food. The symptoms commonly include being sick and diarrhoea. It's not usually serious and most people get better within a few days without treatment. In most cases, food is contaminated by bacteria or a virus.
West Suffolk Council's role
The Commercial Environmental Health Team work with UK Health Security Agency and local doctors to investigate outbreaks of food poisoning. An outbreak is two people being affected by the same illness.
The Commercial Environmental Health Team’s role is to try and identify the cause of the illness and give advice so that more people do not become ill. Currently individual cases of suspected food poisoning are not being investigated.
What to do if you suspect that your business has caused a food poisoning outbreak
The most important thing to do is to stop more people becoming unwell. Encourage people who have symptoms to submit stool samples and contact the Commercial Environmental Health Team.
What to do if you become ill
If you have become ill with food poisoning symptoms do not assume it is that last meal you ate as some bacteria can take up to 10 days to make you feel unwell.
If you are still suffering from symptoms contact your doctor and request to submit a faecal sample. If this is done the results may identify the cause of your illness and can help to confirm or eliminate sources of the food. For more advice visit: NHS - Food poisoning
There are obviously other reasons why you may be feeling poorly that are difficult to rule out such as viral gastroenteritis. Viral causes of food poisoning can be passed on person to person and commonly last 24 hours, but you can still transmit the illness for two days after you feel completely better. NHS guidance on what to do if you have Norovirus: NHS - Norovirus (vomitting bug)
If you work with food or vulnerable people it is very important that you follow the rules of your hygiene policy and do not return to work until you have not had any vomiting or diarrhoea (and are completely back to normal) for 48 hours.
Animal petting and open farm events
If you are planning any events involving animal petting or open farms please be aware of the additional advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive.
Studies have been carried out regarding the spread of Ecoli and other illnesses at these events and having proper hand washing facilities available with warm water anti bacterial soap and hand drying facilities is essential to reduce the risk of persons becoming unwell. Studies have shown that hand washing is more effective than anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.
If food is also offered on site the risk of people eating the bacteria that could make them unwell is increased.