Consumer Information

Preventing Foodborne Illness

Food safety is important to public health.  According to estimates by the New window  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 76 million cases of foodborne illness every year causing 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.  Educated consumers can help lower these numbers.

Check here for current Open in a New Window Food Recalls

Check here for current Open in a New Window USDA Recalls

Check here for current Open in a New Window FDA Recalls

Precautions to take and information regarding your food and water after a flood may be found at New Window Food Safety After a Flood

Focus on Food Safety Materials will assist you in giving your food staff the knowledge and training needed to keep food safe.

Food allergies can range from merely irritating to life-threatening.  For recommendations on how to protect yourself you may visit Open in a New Window FDA Food Allergen Labeling Advice for Consumers.

Emergency: Is Your Food Safe gives you answers to common food questions and guidence on safe procedures when handling food.

Open in a New Window Kitchen Companion, Your Safe Food Handbook is a food safety handbook that has the basic information you need to know about food safety, including up-to-date information.

Reporting Food Safety Complaints

The Food Safety and Lodging program promotes food safety by establishing food protection standards, investigating complaints, educating food businesses and consumers, and licensing and inspecting food businesses. 

If you have a food safety concern or complaint, please report it using either our online complaint form or by calling us (785) 296-7430 or (785) 296-5600.  Either way, we will need your complete contact information.  Sometimes we have questions about the complaints we investigate, and it could slow or stop our investigation if we can't contact you.   

We work cooperatively with the New window  Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Epidemiology investigating foodborne illness outbreaks.  They provide expertise and technical support to local health departments, the private health care community and the general public.  You may contact them at 1 (877) 427-7317 or at EpiHotline@kdhe.state.ks.us.