What is Food poisoning?

Food poisoning can occur when a person eats or drinks food contaminated with certain types of:-

• bacteria,
• viruses, and
• parasites.

Food can be contaminated during:-

• growing,
• processing,
• handling or
• through dirt, dust, and water found in the environment.

Food poisoning causes symptoms of:-

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain and
• diarrhea,

usually within 48 hours of eating the contaminated food. The symptoms of food poisoning are often caused by chemicals (toxins) released by the infecting bacteria. Food poisoning may spread if a person comes into contact with stool from an infected person.

· Safe food preparation, such as

• cooking foods thoroughly,
• storing them properly, and
• hand-washing before preparing food will help prevent food poisoning.

Examples of bacteria types that may cause food poisoning include:-

• salmonella,
• shigella,
• campylobacter and
• E. coli.

Viruses that may cause food poisoning include noroviruses. Parasites that may cause food poisoning include Toxoplasma gondii.

Botulism is a rare form of food poisoning that can be caused by eating foods that were not canned properly.