Since the launch of Iowa’s foodborne illness reporting hotline in October, the number of reports have increased by more than 300 percent.

Approximately 160 suspected foodborne illnesses have been submitted to IowaSic (1-844-IowaSic) in the past four months compared to 50 from the same time period in the previous year.

IowaSic is a joint initiative between the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) as a way to easily report foodborne illnesses.

The IowaSic hotline is answered by IDPH specialists who ask callers about the illness, including its symptoms, onset and duration, and complete a history of all foods consumed during the previous several days.

Reports received by IDPH are investigated in partnership with local public health agencies and the Iowa DIA, the agency with regulatory authority over restaurants, food manufacturing and retail establishments. Illnesses associated with foods purchased from or consumed at food establishments are investigated by staff in DIA’s Food and Consumer Safety Bureau.

Healthcare providers are asked to consider collecting stool samples when foodborne illnesses are suspected, and to encourage patients to report illnesses to 1-844-IowaSic.