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Food Borne Diseases

Food Borne Diseases are casued by consuming contaminated foods or beverages. Most Food Borne Diseases are infections that are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be food borne.

Once ingested, the microbe or toxin passes through the stomach into the intestine, attaches to the cell walls and starts to multiply. It make take several hours to several days to begin to see symptoms. This is known as the incubation period. Often the first symptoms will be: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Most Food Borne Diseases can be prevented by proper handwashing, avoiding cross contamination of foods, and cooking foods thoroughly.

In conjunction with the Environmental Health Food Hygiene program we investigate suspected food borne illness cases in all food facilities.  If you think you have become ill from eating in a food service facility, report it to our office immediately by calling 407-521-2630.

Be prepared to tell us:

• The name and location of the establishment
• The date and time you were there
• What you ate and how much
• If any other members of your party were also ill