
Not disinfecting cooking or eating areas.Other contaminants can be transferred from hands during food preparation or food serving. Feces that remains on the hands after using the toilet can contaminate food. The problem can begin during growing, harvesting or catching, processing, storing, shipping, or preparing.įood can be contaminated any place it's handled, including the home, because of: Food poisoning is a type of foodborne illness.įood can be contaminated at any point from the farm or fishery to the table. "Food poisoning" means illness specifically from a toxin in food."Foodborne illnesses" means all illnesses from any contaminated food or beverage.

A health care provider might use these terms to be more specific: The term "food poisoning" is commonly used to describe all foodborne illnesses. Parasites that can live in the intestines.

Food or drink that carries a contaminant is called "contaminated." Food can be contaminated with any of the following: Many germs or harmful things, called contaminants, can cause foodborne illnesses.

When to see a doctor Infants and children Less often food poisoning affects the nervous system and can cause severe disease. They may begin within a few hours or a few weeks depending on the cause. Symptoms vary depending on what is causing the illness.
