Food Poisoning - What You Need to Know


There are the obvious sources of food poisoning, the one where you know it doesn’t smell quite right or the used by date has gone by, but you give it a crack anyway, and then there’s the one’s you never see coming. How can you avoid food poisoning? What to do if you suspect you or someone you know may have food poisoning.

 

What is food poisoning?

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated foods and affects a large number of Australians per year. Food poisoning can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites, with the most common cause being norovirus. Bacteria that can cause food poisoning include E. coli and Salmonella, but these are usually less common than viral causes.

 

How does food poisoning occur?

Food poisoning occurs when eating contaminated foods. Some high risk foods such as chicken and fish are well known, but food poisoning is not only caused by these. Contaminated foods will often look, taste and smell normal.

Some high-risk foods include:

  • Raw and cooked meat, including poultry such as chicken and turkey and foods containing these, including casseroles, curries and lasagna

  • Dairy products (i.e. cheese, custard, cheesecakes and other desserts)

  • Eggs and egg products (including quiche)

  • Smallgoods (i.e. ham, salami, mettwurst)

  • Seafood (i.e. seafood salads, platters, stews containing fish)

  • Cooked rice and pasta

  • Prepared salads (i.e. coleslaw, pasta salads)

  • Prepared fruit salads

  • Pre-made/ready to eat food (i.e. sandwiches, rolls, wraps and pizzas that contain any of the above listed foods)

Germs can arise in food in a number of ways, including:

  • Sick people who touch food before eating it

  • Germs that live in or on food and can multiply and infect people

  • Germs from one food can get on another food, when someone uses a knife or cutting board that has been used for other food

 

What can I do to prevent food poisoning?

The risk of contracting food poisoning can be reduced by following some simple steps:

  • Washing your hands after changing nappies, going to the bathroom, blowing your nose, taking out trash and before touching food

  • Staying at home from work or school until you are better if you are unwell

Paying attention to food safety:

  • Drinking unpasteurized milk or foods made with it

  • Wash fruits and vegetables well before using them

  • Keeping your refrigerator or freezer at adequate temperatures

  • Cooking meat or seafood until it is well done

  • Cooking eggs until the yolk is firm

  • Washing knives, cutting boards and utensils after being used to cut raw food

  • Checking use by dates on food prior to use

 

What increases my risk of food poisoning?

  • Certain groups of people are at a higher risk of food poisoning. These include:

  • Pregnant women

  • The elderly

  • Young children

  • People with chronic illness

 

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

The symptoms may vary depending on the cause and type of the illness. Some can occur immediately after eating, but it is also common for symptoms to arise a number of hours later and last from 24 hours to five days.

Symptoms include:

  • Nausea

  • Stomach cramps

  • Diarrhoea

  • Vomiting

  • Fever

  • Headaches

 

How do I treat food poisoning?

Most cases of food poisoning will get better without medications. It is important to keep your fluids up to avoid dehydration.

Some cases caused by bacteria may require antibiotics and in severe cases caused by any ‘bug’ (pathogen), people may require fluid via an IV line (a ‘drip’).

Please ask a medical professional prior to taking anti-diarrhoeal medications.

 

When should I see a doctor/seek medical attention?

You should seek medical attention if:

  • You have severe abdominal (stomach) pain

  • Cannot eat or drink

  • Have blood in your bowel motions

  • Vomit blood

  • Have a fever higher than 38oC

  • People in high risk groups (listed above), need to seek medical attention early in their illness as they are more susceptible to dehydration than the regular population

 

References

Better Health Channel 2015, Food poisoning – prevention

Crowly K, Martin KA 2017, Patient Education: Food Poisoning (The Basics)

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