Foodborne Illness (Food Poisoning)

Important Facts

• Foodborne illness (Food Poisoning) is an illness suspected to have resulted from consuming foods or beverages.
• There are over 250 organisms that can cause foodborne illness.
• Although signs and symptoms of foodborne illnesses vary, the most common symptoms are vomiting, abdominal cramps, nausea and diarrhea.
• Most cases of foodborne illness are single cases and not associated with large outbreaks.
• The last meal consumed does not necessarily cause foodborne illness.
• Many illnesses can spread more than one way so we do not always know if the illness was caused by food.
• In order for Environmental Health to respond to reports of suspected foodborne illnesses, accurate and complete information from the person(s) involved is needed.

Reporting Foodborne Illness in Orange County, California

Food illness complaints can be reported over the phone at (714) 433-6418 or online. Information provided is confidential and is not given to the food operator or any other third party. If this is an emergency, please contact your local police, fire department, or hospital by calling 9-1-1.

File a Foodborne Illness Complaint

Food Safety

• Food Safety Myths
• Top 5 Foodborne Illness Risk Factors
• Spotlight on Norovirus
• Federal Food Safety Information
• CDC video on Environmental Health Services

Surrounding Jurisdictions

• Los Angeles County Environmental Health
• Long Beach City Environmental Health
• Riverside County Environmental Health
• San Bernardino County Environmental Health
• San Diego County Environmental Health
• Ventura County Environmental Health

Useful Links

• Center for Disease Control
• Orange County Epidemiology and Assessment
• California Department of Public Health