As a former member of my hometown’s Board of Health, I have reviewed and seen reports regarding many local food establishments and their methods of handling food for consumers, their customers. Most eateries, restaurants, diners, and summer food stands employ safe handling rules and regulations but others have chosen shortcuts whether by choice or lack of employee training. 

If you or anyone you know has experienced stomach upset, headache, nausea, or worse after consuming food at a local eating establishment, it is imperative that you do not hesitate to report your bout of illness to your local Board of Health in order for action to be taken and for a health inspector to be sent to that dining location to check on their safe food handling methods. You should never/ever hesitate to call your local Board of Health. These highly-qualified food inspectors are there for you and to protect others from unsafe food handling methods. If there are questionable practices being ignored or food safety regulations not being followed, it is in everyone’s best health interests to have this addressed by your local authority.

Recently, Ivan Kwagala, Oxford’s Public Health Director, reported on an online service provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Department. This tool allows any Massachusetts’ resident to report suspected foodborne illness to the Mass. Dept. of Public Health (DPH). After your online form is submitted, it is reviewed by the DPH and shared with your local Board of Health who will conduct a site visit to check food safety and handling procedures. Reports are reviewed with any other submissions to identify possible patterns such as multiple individuals becoming ill after consuming the same food or eating at the same establishment according to Mr. Kwagala. 

It is essential to provide the most accurate and explicit information when reporting any suspected foodborne illness such as considering all foods consumed in the past 72 hours (3 days) before symptoms occurred, reviewing your credit card receipts to establish your dining location, even photos you may have taken or calendar notations. Speaking with other members of the group you dined with is extremely important, noting the time and date of symptom onset and what those symptoms were. Providing your name and phone number to the DPH is also essential for follow-up purposes. 

Contacting the DPH is critical if there is a large group of consumers involved. They may be reached at 627- 983-6712, however, for quick local action during regular business hours, please contact your local Board of Health (BOH) or Police Station. In Oxford, the BOH phone number is 508- 987-6045, extension 5. They are located at the Town Hall, 325 Main Street, 2nd floor, Oxford. Hours: Mon/Tues/Thurs 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wed. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Friday 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Police Dept. 508- 987-0156.  

In Auburn, phone 508- 832-7703, Town Hall, 104 Central Street, Auburn. Hours: Mon. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Tues – Thurs. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Police Dept. 508- 832-7777.