Food Poisoning - NYC Health

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Food Poisoning / Foodborne Illness

Each year, thousands of New York City residents become sick from consuming foods or drinks that are contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses or parasites. The most common sources of food poisoning include raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, shellfish and unpasteurized milk.

Fruits and vegetables may become contaminated if:

They are handled or processed in facilities that are not kept clean.

They come into contact with contaminated fertilizer

They are watered or washed with contaminated water.

Contamination may also occur if food is incorrectly handled by an infected food worker, or if it touches other contaminated food.

The symptoms, onset and length of foodborne illness depend on the type of microbe and how much of it is swallowed. Symptoms usually include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. If you think you became sick after eating or drinking a contaminated item, call 311 or submit an online complaint form.

Call your doctor if you experience a high fever (over 101.5°F), blood in stool, prolonged vomiting, dehydration or diarrhea for more than three days.

Get more tips on preventing foodborne illness.

Types of Food-Related Illnesses:

Salmonellosis

Norovirus

Campylobacteriosis

Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B

E. Coli 0157:H7 / Shiga Toxin

Listeriosis

Shigellosis

Cryptosporidiosis

Cholera

Ciguatera

Scombroid (Histamine)

Cyclosporiasis

Botulism

Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Yersiniosis

Additional Resources

Submit a Food Poisoning Complaint Online

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food Safety Office

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR): Using Online Reviews by Restaurant Patrons to Identify Unreported Cases of Foodborne Illness — New York City, 2012–2013. May 23, 2014 / 63(20); 441-445.

CDC MMWR: Ciguatera Fish Poisoning — New York City, 2010–2011. February 1, 2013 / 62(04); 61-65.

More Information

Food and Drinking Water Safety

Food Service Operators and Owners

Read the Health Department's Food Matters Newsletters