What should a food worker do if they notice a foodborne illness outbreak?

When a food worker notices a foodborne illness outbreak, reporting it immediately to a supervisor or health department is crucial. This action ensures that appropriate steps can be taken swiftly to contain the outbreak and prevent further illnesses. Foodborne illness outbreaks can pose serious health risks, and timely reporting is essential for public safety. By informing the right authorities, they can initiate investigations that may include tracing the source of the contamination, inspecting the facility, and taking necessary measures to protect consumers.

Prompt reporting also helps in gathering important data about the incident, which can aid in identifying the causative agent and the affected populations. This process is vital not only for addressing the immediate situation but also for implementing preventive measures to avoid future incidents.

Addressing the other options, ignoring the outbreak or waiting for someone else to report it can lead to escalated health risks. Investigating it themselves is outside of the worker's role and could complicate the situation or introduce further risk. Therefore, the responsibility lies in immediate and accurate reporting to the appropriate authorities.