Food Safety

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Food-borne Illnesses

Parasitic

Bacteria

Toxins

  • Botulism CDC  
  • Ciguatera (Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)) CDC   FAQ's
  • Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, Ciguatera) CDC  
  • Scombroid CDC  
  • Staphylococcal Food Poisoning , Enterotoxin - B Poisoning (Staph Food Poisoning) CDC  

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About

Food-borne Illnesses

Parasitic

Bacteria

Toxins

  • Botulism CDC  
  • Ciguatera (Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)) CDC   FAQ's
  • Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, Ciguatera) CDC  
  • Scombroid CDC  
  • Staphylococcal Food Poisoning , Enterotoxin - B Poisoning (Staph Food Poisoning) CDC  

Viral

What we license

Programs

Rhode Island Data

Publications

Regulations

Partners

Report a Food Poisoning

  • Online
  • By phone: 401-222-2749
  • After-Hours Emergency Number: 401-276-8046

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About Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is a common term used to describe foodborne illnesses. A foodborne illness is any illness that is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated beverages. Food and drink can be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, and chemicals. The symptoms, onset, and length of a foodborne illness depend on the type of microbe and how much of it is swallowed. Usual symptoms of a foodborne illness can include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. more

Most people assume that their symptoms were caused by the last meal they ate. However, some food contaminants can take days to cause symptoms after being ingested. For this reason, it is very important that the health department investigate all foods/drinks that you ingested within at least 3 days leading up to your symptoms.

You can report a case of food poisoning for yourself or someone else in your household either online or by phone 401-222-2749. If you are reporting illness from a large event, such as a wedding, reunion, or company gathering, please call us at 401-222-2749. If you are reporting outside of regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm) contact the after-hours hotline at 401-276-8046.

After you complete a food poisoning report, it will be reviewed by our staff. We may contact you to obtain a 3-day food history and to answer any additional questions. The Center for Food Protection uses the information from these reports to detect outbreaks of foodborne diseases. Our experts will decide the appropriate course of action. We appreciate your report.

Report a Food Poisoning

Everything you share in this report is kept confidential at the Rhode Island Department of Health. Providing your contact information is essential for our staff to effectively respond to your suspected foodborne illness complaint. (*denotes required fields)

Your Information
Food Establishment Details
Illness Details

I did   My spouse/partner   My child  
My friend   Other

Yes   No  

Yes   No  

Fever   Nausea   Vomiting   Diarrhea   Bloody Diarrhea  
Abdominal Cramps    Headache  

Yes   No  

I hereby declare and affirm under the pains and penalties of perjury that the information on this form has been reviewed by me, and is true, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that I may be subject to civil penalties or criminal prosecution for any falsification, omission, or concealment of any material fact contained herein.