Food poisoning is an illness caused by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated by:
- bacteria, such as salmonella,
- viruses, such as the norovirus,
- parasites, such as the giardia parasite, or (less commonly)
- toxins and chemicals, such as lead or mercury.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
How common is food poisoning?
In England and Wales there were 92,000 reported cases of food poisoning in 2007. The real figure could be much higher, because many people with mild symptoms do not report them.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates that there are around 850,000 cases of food poisoning each year in the UK.
Outlook
The symptoms of food poisoning will normally pass within a week, without the need for a doctor.
However, bacteria such as listeria and salmonella can cause severe symptoms of food poisoning and sometimes even death. People with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable. The FSA estimates that there are 500 deaths from food poisoning in the UK every year.
The best way to prevent food poisoning is to practise good food hygiene. For example, always cook food at the right temperature and wash your hands with soap and warm water after going to the toilet and before and after handling food. See Prevention for more advice.
