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Foodborne Illness & Food Safety FAQs

food

What should I do if I think I have food poisoning?

If you suspect that you or someone you know has become sick from food, whether that food was eaten at a restaurant or purchased from a grocery store, please contact the Board of Health immediately, even if you do not know what food made you sick.  Reporting a suspected foodborne illness can help health officials identify a foodborne disease outbreak and keep others from getting sick.  With foodborne illness, your symptoms can vary depending on the germ you swallowed.  Symptoms can range from mild to serious and can last for a few hours or several days.  The most common symptoms of food poisoning are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain or cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever

If you have diarrhea or vomiting, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.  If you have any of the following severe symptoms, you should seek medical evaluation and treatment immediately:

  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
  • High fever (temperature over 102°F)
  • Vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, which include not urinating much, a dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up

See your doctor if you are pregnant and have a fever and other flu-like symptoms. Some mild infections can cause problems with pregnancy.

How frequently are Mashpee food establishments inspected by the BOH?

The Board of Health is required to inspect each food establishment at least once every six (6) months.  No prior notice of an inspection is required.  As long as the Health Inspector presents official credentials and provides notice of the purpose of, and an intent to conduct, an inspection during the food establishments hours of operation and at other reasonable times as required, the person in charge shall allow the Health Inspector to determine if the food establishment is in compliance with 105 CMR 590.000 by allowing access to the establishment, allowing inspection, and providing information and records to which the regulatory authority is entitled under the law.  Every food inspection report is a matter of public record.