Food poisoning and reporting unsafe food

Food poisoning is caused by consuming food or drink that is contaminated with certain types of bacteria, parasites, viruses or toxins. Please consult a doctor as soon as possible if you show food poisoning symptoms. With food poisoning, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and fever.

If you suspect you have food poisoning, it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Please consult a doctor as soon as possible if you show food poisoning symptoms.

If you believe food poisoning occurred due to a food business within the City of Armadale, please call the City’s Health Services on 9394 5000. The City will conduct an investigation and ideally obtain the following from you:

• If you have any of the food leftover, our team may be able to test it for food poisoning bacteria. If possible, please keep aside a sample of the suspected food or foods in the fridge or freezer for testing
• Details on the purchase of the food e.g. where you think the contaminated food was eaten, time eaten, and the receipt for the purchased food if available
• If any other family members are affected, note down their symptoms and when they first started to feel unwell

Some food businesses allow you to take leftover food home, giving you containers that are sometimes referred to as ‘doggy bags’. If you do take leftover food home, it is important you store and handle the food safety to avoid food poisoning. We recommend you follow the Food safety guidelines to minimise any risks.