Food-borne Illness Investigation

Food-borne Illnesses which are reported to the Torrington Area Health District are addressed immediately. Information is gathered and entered into our computer database. Two or more foodborne illness complaints reported for the same establishment and with the same symptoms is considered a foodborne illness outbreak. A complete investigation is conducted immediately. A single complaint initiates an inspection, and food safety procedures are reviewed with the owner and / or manager.  

A complete listing of food-borne illnesses. 

Complaints of  foodborne illness must be phoned in to enable the gathering of pertinent information. The name and phone number of the person complaining is needed to verify specific information.  
The name, address and phone number of all persons complaining are entered into a separate logbook that is totally confidential to anyone except the TAHD staff. Connecticut Freedom of Information requires that all other parts of the complaint and its investigation are available to whoever wishes to view it. 

Some of the information necessary to investigate a complaint of foodborne illness consist of personal data:

• food history of ill individuals, thorough record of  all foods, condiments and beverages consumed day of illness and at least three days prior to illness. Complete menus and recipes are needed for investigation.
  
• time and place of consumption
  
• onset of symptoms, incubation period 
  
• detailed symptoms 
  
• necessary clinical data, if available 
  

After thorough review of all information a sanitarian will investigate at the suspect food service facility. Food preparation, food storage, and food handling practices are analyzed, if suspect foods are available they will be taken for laboratory testing. 
If  the person is still experiencing symptoms of diarrhea or vomit , a specimen can  be collected for laboratory testing. 
Interviews with all food handlers will be conducted and documented. 

The gathered information and laboratory tests ( if available) are thoroughly evaluated and the appropriate actions are taken.