Foodborne illnesses & complaints
What is foodborne illness?
Foodborne illness (or food poisoning) is when someone becomes ill after eating food or drink containing harmful microorganisms. It can occur when food has not been cooked, stored or handled correctly.
Symptoms of foodborne illness may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pains, fever and chills.
Depending on the microorganism symptoms can appear between 10 minutes to several weeks after the food is consumed. Often foodborne illness is not caused by the last food a person ate.
Foodborne illness investigations
It is important that people go to their doctor if they think they have symptoms of foodborne illness. They should request a stool sample be sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Doctors and laboratories are legally required to notify the Public Health Service of certain foodborne illnesses.
Individuals can also contact the Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service directly if they believe food has made them sick:
- Nelson: 03 546 1537
- Marlborough: 03 520 9914
- After hours: 03 520 9999 or 03 546 1800 and ask for the on-call Health Protection Officer
All food complaints, for example, foreign objects in food, labelling queries, or matters associated with allergens should be referred directly to the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Click here to visit the MPI webpage to make a food complaint
Related Links
Food- and water-borne diseases - Ministry of Healt Safe food preparation, cooking, and storage at hom Food safety - HealthifyPage last updated: 12/07/2023