MU Environmental Health and Safety: Food-Borne Illness

Food-Borne Illness

A food-borne illness occurs from eating food that has been cross-contaminated with either a biological or chemical contaminate. The main form of food-borne illness is through bacterial infection. Depending on the bacteria, symptoms may occur anywhere from one-half hour to three weeks later. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and possibly fever, singly or in combination. All suspected food-borne illness should be reported and diagnosed immediately.

Should you work in a campus food facility, it is very important to diagnose the problem immediately to prevent a campus outbreak. It is necessary to be seen by a proper medical professional prior to continuing work in the campus food facility. For those who do not work in a campus food facility, it is still essential to have the problem diagnosed properly by a proper medical professional.

Food-borne illness diagnosis can be done at either University Hospital or Student Health. Please report any suspected food-borne occurrences to the food operation manager and the EHS Sanitarian for investigation and follow-up. All information should be sent to the EHS Sanitarian who is located at EHS within the Research Park Development Building (573) 882-5022.