Did you get sick from eating food? Foodborne illness is caused by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with germs. It is spread through meat, poultry, shellfish, fish, and other foods that are undercooked or not handled properly.
To report a foodborne illness
If you live in Cambridge and suspect a foodborne illness, please contact the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) in one of the following ways:
- Call us directly: 617-665-3826. Leave a voicemail and one of our public health nurses will return your call during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.).
- Email us at [email protected]. Once you email us, you will automatically receive a Foodborne Illness Complaint Form to complete.
If you don’t live in Cambridge and you believe a Cambridge restaurant is the cause of your illness, please contact Cambridge Inspectional Services (ISD). If a restaurant is the suspected cause of illness, ISD will perform a complete inspection to determine if the restaurant is adhering to the sanitary code.
If calling after business hours or on holidays, please call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.
Visit Foodsafety.gov and the CDC for more information on food safety and the prevention of foodborne illness.
Updated: November 13, 2025