Consumer Food Complaints

Contents

• Report a concern about a food product
• Report a foodborne illness
• Report a concern about a food processing facility or food warehouse
• Guide to Food Safety Regulatory Jurisdictions

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Report a concern about a food product to:




Washington State Department of Agriculture
Food Safety Program
800-843-7890
360-725-5495
foodsafety@agr.wa.gov

The Food Safety Technician will request that you provide the following data:

• Product description, brand name & size of container
• Product coding
• Manufacturer or distributor name, city & state
• Place and date product was purchased

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Report a Foodborne Illness

If you are experiencing foodborne illness symptoms, contact your local county health agency and your physician.

Be prepared to provide your local county health agency with the following information for all persons affected:

• Name, address, and phone number of the physician consulted.
• General symptoms, including the day and time symptoms occurred
• A history of all foods and beverages consumed, beginning 72 hours before the onset of symptoms, including date and time.

Causes & Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

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Report a complaint about a food processor or food storage warehouse facility

To report a complaint regarding unsanitary practices or security conditions of:

• Food Processing Facility
• Food Storage Warehouse
• Dairy Farm
• Milk Plant
• Custom Meat Facility

Call 1-800-843-7890 or 360-725-5495 or you may e-mail us at foodsafety@agr.wa.gov

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Guide to Food Safety Official Jurisdictions

The WSDA Food Safety Program collects information from Washington State consumers about the nature of their complaints. 

Depending on the nature of the complaint, type of food product, the place of purchase, and the location it was prepared or manufactured, WSDA will either conduct the preliminary investigation internally with our staff of 30 Food Safety Officers or refer the complaint to our food safety colleagues at the local, state or federal agencies.

Which agency oversees which food products?

• State Health and local county health agencies oversee restaurants, retail grocery & farmers markets
• US Food and Drug Administration oversees products manufactured out of state
  (state food safety agency in the state product was manufactured also oversees these products)
• US Department of Agriculture oversees meat, poultry & egg products
• The Washington State Department of Agriculture oversees food manufactured in Washington State

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