If you suspect a foodborne illness outbreak, what steps should you take?

• A. Ignore it and continue service.
• B. Isolate suspect items, stop serving them, document, notify management, and contact local health department.
• C. Call a vendor and order more inventory.
• D. Post a notice to customers in the dining room.

Answer: (B)

When you suspect a foodborne illness outbreak, you must act to contain risk and involve the right authorities. The best steps are to isolate the suspect items, stop serving them, and document all relevant details (what was served, when, who got sick, and symptoms) so you have a clear record for the investigation. Notify management so the response can be coordinated and accurate notes are maintained, and contact the local health department to report what happened and get guidance. This combination protects customers, enables a proper public health response, and helps identify the source. Do not ignore the issue, don’t try to replenish inventory to cover it up, and don’t post notices in the dining room, as those actions can worsen exposure or hinder investigation.