The most common bacterial infections transmitted by food and food handlers in the Falkirk Council area are caused by:
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Campylobacter
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Salmonella
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E. coli
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Clostridium perfringens
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Shigella (Dysentery)
There are also a number of viruses and chemical agents that cause illness through food.
If you believe you may be ill as a result of eating contaminated food, you should consult your family doctor who may ask you to submit a stool specimen. Complaints made to the Food & Safety Regulation Unit are dealt with most effectively when the person who is ill has both consulted their GP and has a sample of food available for examination.
If food poisoning organisms are found in your stool we will receive prompt notification. An Environmental Health Officer may then contact you to request an interview.
We liaise with Forth Valley Health Board in the investigation of outbreaks and the exclusion of high risk cases from work or school. We also arrange compensation payments for any resulting loss of earnings for persons who are excluded.