What do you do if you think that you or a member of your family has food poisoning? Or if you suspect that food from a store or restaurant is contaminated? Follow these tips to report the problem quickly and effectively.
Report Food Poisoning
If you think you have food poisoning or an allergic reaction to food, call your doctor. If it’s an emergency, call 911. If you believe you or someone you know became ill from eating a certain food, contact your county or city health department.
Reporting illnesses to your local health department helps them identify potential outbreaks of foodborne disease. Public health officials investigate outbreaks to control them, so more people do not get sick in the outbreak, and to learn how to prevent similar outbreaks from happening in the future.
Where to Report a Problem with Food
If you suspect that a food is contaminated or has made you or someone that you know sick, follow these guidelines to report it.
Download Table as PDF| Report a Problem with… | Do This |
|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, or Processed Egg Products | Phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or report the complaint online.
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| Food (Except Meat, Poultry or Processed Egg Products) | Phone the FDA Main Emergency Number at 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366) or report online through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal. For cosmetics use the MedWatch Online Voluntary Reporting Form. |
| Pet Food | Phone a CVM Complaint Coordinator at 240-402-3876 or report online through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal. |
| Restaurant Food | Call the health department in your city, county, or state. Find contact information on your State or Territorial Health Department Website. |