The V.I. Health Department has launched an online food and water safety complaint portal, making it easier for residents to report suspected foodborne or waterborne illnesses, as well as concerns related to sanitation, hygiene, and food safety practices at food service establishments.
“Ensuring safe and sanitary conditions and proper food handling practices remains a core responsibility of the Department of Health,” Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said Wednesday in a press release announcing the new endeavor.
“This online reporting portal empowers residents to promptly share concerns about food and water safety, whether they became ill or noticed unsafe practices,” she said. “Early notification supports timely investigations and helps protect public health, particularly during the busy holiday and festival season.”
The portal is accessible through the department’s website at www.doh.vi.gov, via the link titled View the US Virgin Islands Food & Waterborne Illness Portal Here!.
The portal provides a single, streamlined way for the public to report a wide range of concerns including symptoms after eating food or drinking water, unsafe food handling, poor sanitation, unclean kitchens, contaminated water, or other conditions that may pose a public health risk, the release stated. All submissions will be reviewed and investigated by the department’s Epidemiology and Environmental Health divisions, it said.
Residents are encouraged to submit a report if they:
– Believe they became sick shortly after eating food or drinking water
– Observe unsanitary conditions in a restaurant or food business
– Observe improper food handling or food storage
– Notice concerns related to drinking water or recreational water
“It is important to note that the portal is not a medical or emergency service. It is intended solely for reporting suspected food or waterborne illnesses and food or water safety concerns to the Health Department” according to the release.
Individuals who submit illness reports may be contacted by the department for follow-up to gather additional information as part of a public health investigation.
Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis and her team, alongside the Environmental Health Division, have been working throughout the year to improve the community’s ability to report incidents to the department, the release stated.
“This launch represents another important step in modernizing our public health infrastructure,” Ellis said. “By lowering barriers to reporting, we are strengthening disease surveillance and empowering residents to be active partners in keeping our community safe.”
