Food poisoning is characterized by a set of unpleasant symptoms including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache and sometimes weakness. These symptoms are caused by bacteria, virus, parasites or toxins in food. There are several ways these organisms can get into the body.
Cooking
Cooking food heats it to a high temperature, hopefully killing any organisms that may be on the food. Not all raw food is contaminated, but if it is, the cooking process will kill most of the germs. Consuming raw or undercooked food puts you at risk for ingesting bacteria and viruses.
Not all foods need to be cooked, but they can still be contaminated. Foods that are normally eaten raw, such as lettuce and other salad ingredients, should be stored away from items that require cooking. Wash raw foods thoroughly before eating.
Contamination
A food can become contaminated with certain organisms if it is set on a counter with raw food products and not washed before consuming. The Mayo Clinic states that cross contamination from one food to another is the most common cause of food poisoning. Raw meats should be stored at the bottom of the fridge and properly stored so that the fluids from the meat do not leak onto other foods. All counter surfaces that are used for preparing and handling food need to be sanitized frequently, especially if there is a switch from meats to fruits and vegetables. Hands preparing the food will need to be washed frequently as well.
Poor Refrigeration
Some food products can start to grow bacteria if they are left out of the refrigerator for too long. Cooling the food slows down the natural process of decay and leaving the food out can allow the bacteria to grow. Mayonnaise is an item that should not be left uncooled for very long, which is why many people become sick after eating the potato or macaroni salad that was sitting out in the sun at a picnic.
Canning
Botulism is a toxin produced by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Even injections of small amounts can lead to botulism, a disease that involves a rapid paralysis of all of the muscles, even those that control breathing. Death can occur if the antitoxin is not delivered in time. Improperly canning any foods can lead to a growth of a toxin called botulism. This is usually caused by improper canning techniques done at home.
