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.
