If you suspect you have an illness after eating food in a restaurant, cafe, etc or after eating ready to eat food from a retailer, it is important you visit your doctor immediately whilst still symptomatic.
Inform the doctor of your symptoms and tell him you suspect it to be something you ate. If the doctor agrees it may be food poisoning he should arrange for you to submit a stool sample for analysis. Without laboratory analysis to prove you have food poisoning we can only suspect what the illness is. If any food remains, freeze it or at least refrigerate it – we will need it for possible examination.
The next step is to inform us of your suspicion by calling the number listed below or by emailing ehealth@clacks.gov.uk. An officer will arrange to call and take a full report from you. If analysis subsequently shows you not to have food poisoning there may be no need to take any further action.
If you are no longer symptomatic and stool samples are not taken but you still feel that you were made ill by something you ate, please still inform us. The action that can be taken may be very limited but it could still be vital information. Others may also have been ill having eaten at the same place.
Remember, if your work involves handling food or caring for the elderly or vulnerable, you are required by law to inform your employer if you are suffering from any illness such as diarrhoea or sickness.
You must refrain from attending work until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
If your young child is ill then they should not attend pre school groups such as toddlers, playgroups or nursery until 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
Environmental Health
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: ehealth@clacks.gov.uk