Someone else will listen to your complaints

When foodborne illness strikes, who do you call?

Public health departments could be on your list.

A recent article published in the Journal of Food Protection surveyed 190 local and state public health departments to find out how many had consumer complaint departments. A majority (81%) of health departments did have such departments, but mostly in largely populated areas compared to less densely populations regions.

Complaining can be usefull; 69% of outbreaks were identified through consumer complaints. Consumer complaint systems also helped official collect data on timing of illness and food histories - crucial epidemiological tools to figuring out outbreaks. Consumers also complain about unsanitary conditions at restaurants.

I have to admit that I've never called anyone (other than my sister/best friend/boyfriend) when I've gotten sick. So I tried to find Tompkins County's health department number: the best I could find.