Foodborne IllnessFoodborne illness is caused by consuming food or beverages that are contaminated by disease-causing microbes (pathogens). Of note many foodborne pathogens also can be acquired through recreational or drinking water, from contact with animals or their environment, or through person-to-person spread.
- Causes and Symptoms of Foodborne Illness
Symptoms and causes of foodborne illness and links to disease-specific information.
Food Safety Basics: Preventing Foodborne Illness
There's a lot you can do to handle and prepare your food safely. Learn what you can do to prepare, serve and store food safely.
Hand Hygiene | Cross Contamination | Don't Prepare Food If You are Ill | Temperatures | Thermometers | Grilling and BBQ Safety | Slow Cooker Safety | Home Canning | Cold Storage | Shelf Storage
- Reporting Suspected Foodborne and Waterborne Illness
Please call the Minnesota Department of Health if you suspect you have a foodborne or waterborne illness. MDH will relay the necessary information to the appropriate local health authorities.
- Submitting a Stool Sample
How to use a Minnesota Department of Health stool collection kit to easily collect your stool sample and send it to the Minnesota Department of Health laboratory for testing.
- Foodborne Outbreaks
Information about foodborne illness outbreaks, including detection and investigation in Minnesota.
Outbreak Basics | Reporting Suspected Illness | Outbreak Detection | Outbreak Investigations | Outbreak Statistics | For Schools, Day Care, and Long-term Care Facilities
- Foodborne Illness Surveillance Statistics
Summary surveillance statistics for outbreaks and selected diseases.
- For Health Care Professionals
Clinical information and required reporting information.
- For Childcare and Daycare
Diarrhea (loose stools) is a common symptom of several infections that can be easily spread to other daycare children or staff.