We investigate complaints of food and water borne
infectious diseases in North Somerset.
This particularly applies to food poisoning which is an
illness caused by consuming food or drink that has been
contaminated.
We act on reports passed to us by GPs, the public,
businesses, hospitals and other local authorities.
Once we have received a report we contact the person with the
symptoms and ask them the following:
- What and where they had eaten prior to their illness
- Details of their symptoms
- Whether they have been on holiday abroad
- Whether or not their GP has taken a faecal sample
- Whether anybody else they ate with has experienced
symptoms
This is to find out the source of their infection and
to control further spread.
If you have had food poisoning and you think it has been caused
by a restaurant or other food related business, report it to our
Food and Safety team.
Even if your own symptoms are not serious, someone else already
vulnerable, perhaps through being pregnant or having a weakened
immune system, could become seriously ill if they eat contaminated
food.
We can also advise you on how the spread of the illness within
the household can be avoided and give guidance to you on food
safety measures which may help to reduce the likelihood of food
poisoning in the future.
If you are a food handler and have had time off work due to food
poisoning you should not return until you have been symptom-free
for 48 hours or as advised. Some food poisonings require you
to be off work for longer.
Parents or guardians of children under five years of age are
also advised to keep them away from school or other places until
they have also been symptom-free for 48 hours.
For more information contact our
Food and Safety
team.
