Statewide, Iowa — A new Iowa hotline may stop food poisoning in its tracks.
Public Health Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says that a statewide one-call system has been set up for Iowans to report illnesses associated with food poisoning. She says it’s called the IowaSic hotline, and the number to call is 1-844-469-2742. That’s 844-IOWA-SIC. She says when someone calls, trained specialists immediately begin an investigation into the cause and source of the illness. She says that will hopefully mean fewer sick Iowans.
The IowaSic hotline will be answered by IDPH specialists who will ask callers about the illness, symptoms, onset and duration, and also complete a history of all foods consumed for the past several days. Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food establishments will be investigated by staff in the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals’s Food and Consumer Safety Bureau.
She says that food poisoning happens after eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages, and can occur at any time throughout the food preparation process, including growing, distribution processes, storage, cooking, and service.
Often, says Quinlisk, foodborne illness is the result of cross-contamination, poor hygiene, or improper heating and cooling of prepared foods. If you suspect food poisoning after consuming an item from a restaurant, grocery store, convenience store, market or public gathering, call IDPH’s IowaSic hotline at 1-844-469-2742. Again that’s 844-IOWA-SIC.
