Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is illness caused by eating contaminated food. Infectious organisms — including bacteria, viruses and parasites — or their toxins are the most common causes of food poisoning. There are over 200 known diseases that can be transmitted by food. Bacteria or viruses are the main cause of food poisoning.
‘Food Poisoning’ Articles
The impact of food poisoning
Food Poisoning is a growing public health problem causes considerable socio-economic impact on cost and work load of health care systems, loss of productivity and harming tourism and trade. The burden of foodborne diseases to public health and welfare and to economies has often been underestimated due to underreporting and difficulty to establish causal relationships between food contamination and resulting illness or death. It is estimated that, every year 220 million children contract diarrhoeal diseases and 96 000 die. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of diarrhoea and malnutrition, threatening the nutritional status of the most vulnerable. According to Food and […]
Causes of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is caused by consuming food products contaminated with germs. Some bacteria produce toxins that result in food poisoning when ingested. However, it is often the presence of particular bacteria or viruses that cause our own immune systems to produce harmful toxins. These are meant to destroy the bacteria but sometimes are harmful to us. Infectious organisms or their toxins can contaminate food at any point of processing or production. Contamination can also occur at home if food is incorrectly handled or cooked. Food poisoning symptoms, which can start within hours of eating contaminated food, often include nausea, vomiting or […]
What you do if you get food poisoning
If you get food poisoning seek urgent medical attention. Food Poisoning can be serious for vulnerable population such as young children, elderly and people of all ages with some other health issues. If you are feeling unwell visit your doctor. Some food poisonings are life threatening and early diagnosis can help to avoid severe consequences If two or more people affects food poisoning from a food service or home kitchen prepared food, then it is considered as foodborne outbreak Report to nearest health care service or GP and also contact your local food enforcement office and report the illness. Sometimes […]
Why does Food Poisoning happen?
Food poisoning is usually happening as result of poor hygiene and wrong food handling practice – the people preparing the food have not washed their hands well enough or have an infection they pass on. It can also occur when the food has not been prepared properly – it is not cooked enough or not stored at the right temperature. Some food poisoning caused by contamination caused by manufacturing process of food products or contamination from ingredients they received for processing food products. However, most food industries and food regulators implemented robust food safety management system for this process However, consumer negligence, lack […]
When to see a doctor for Food Poisoning
If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, seek medical attention. Frequent episodes of vomiting and inability to keep liquids down Bloody vomit or stools Diarrhea for more than three days Extreme pain or severe abdominal cramping An oral temperature higher than 100.4 F (38 C) Signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or light-headedness Neurological symptoms such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms