Q1. What causes food poisoning?

A1. Food poisoning is caused by the consumption of contaminated food and/or water. It can also occur as a result of the cross contamination of food.

Food can become infected with bacteria, viruses or parasites at any stage. A good example of this undercooked chicken which contains the salmonella bacteria.

This infected food is eaten which enables the bacteria (or virus) to enter the digestive system and release toxins which cause food poisoning. In some cases these toxins enter the bloodstream which enables the infection to spread to other areas of the body.

Find out more in our causes of food poisoning section.

FAQS Index : Food Poisoning FAQ

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Food Poisoning FAQs

1. What causes food poisoning?
2. Who is more likely to get food poisoning?
3. Is food poisoning worse for some people than others?
4. Can the symptoms of food poisoning be mistaken for another illness?
5. Who has a higher risk of food poisoning?
6. What are the symptoms of food poisoning?
7. Which foods are most likely to cause food poisoning?
8. What is e coli?
9. What is salmonella?
10. What is campylobacter?
11. What is listeria?
12. What is norovirus?
13. What is staphylococcus?
14. Which parasites cause food poisoning?
15. Which wild mushrooms cause food poisoning?

16. Should you contact your GP if you have food poisoning?
17. How do you treat food poisoning?
18. Are there any complications with food poisoning?
19. I have developed food poisoning after eating a takeaway: should I report this?
20. Can you prevent food poisoning?
21. What is cross contamination?
22. What is ‘food irradiation?’
23. Why is listeria dangerous for pregnant women?
24. What are the risks of food poisoning in children?
25. Why are older people likely to get food poisoning?
26. How is food poisoning diagnosed?
27. What is dehydration?
28. What is food safety?
29. How common is food poisoning?
30. What is the outlook for food poisoning?

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