Food poisoning incidents may be going unreported potentially exposing people to unnecessary risk, according the Health Department.

Earlier this week, a Health Department investigation lead to a call for restaurant tuna stocks from Beaver Street Fisheries to be destroyed after high levels of bacteria were found in the fish. At least six Island restaurants were affected.

Although several people got sick -- possibly as a result of Scombroid poisoning -- after eating tuna dishes no one reported the incidents to the department and it was only made aware when a story ran in The Royal Gazette .

But the Health Department wants people to know it investigates every report, said Chief Environmental Health Officer Estlyn Harvey and takes action where necessary. But officers can only act when they are notified.

"If people would call it would make a big difference in a lot of premises because we would go out and just clean up shop,'' said Ms Harvey.

Last year, however, the were only 17 investigations. But 464 people were affected by those 17 reports which gives some indication of how foodborne illnesses can spiral and affect scores of people if not caught early.

In 1999 there were 14 investigations with just 15 people affected but the Marriott water poisoning incident in 1998 was one of 18 investigations that year where 847 people were affected.

These statistics "are a conservative estimate of the problem because of underreporting,'' said Ms Harvey.

When the Health Department is notified of a problem, officers are able to identify the source, she said, thereby protecting other people.

Former MP Grace Bell is also urging the public to contact the Health Department immediately when they experience problems.

Ms Bell recently reported an establishment after a tuna sandwich caused her to fall ill.

"Now they've gone and tested the tuna at that establishment,'' said Ms Bell.

"People must inform the Health Department on the day that it happens. It is so important. There is definitely more food poisoning going on in Bermuda than is reported.''