(TNS) — The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new system that makes it easier for members of the public to report suspected food poisoning and file a food safety complaint. According to the DOH, food poisoning is preventable, but one in six Americans gets sick by eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages every year, according to the DOH. Children under the age of five, seniors, people who are pregnant or who have compromised immune systems are at the highest risk of developing severe symptoms.
"Foodborne illness is preventable through safe food handling," said Alyssa Pilot, a public health advisor for DOH's food safety program, in a phone call with McClatchy. "So when we are educated on how to properly handle our food that helps prevent foodborne illness." The Foodborne Illness Notification System (FINS) is an online platform that can be used to notify the health department about any foodborne illness or food safety concerns.
The news release stated that using FINS to report any potential foodborne illnesses is the "best way to ensure action can be taken to promote food safety in Washington." In Washington, reports of foodborne illness are handled by local health departments. This can be confusing for consumers trying to report an illness, according to Pilot.
"Any retail food establishment is regulated by the local health department. So the public, when reporting any type of foodborne illness or food safety concerns, they have to understand that .
