Foodborne Illness Causes and Symptoms

A foodborne illness is a disease transmitted to people by food. A foodborne-illness outbreak is when two or more people get the same illness after eating the same food. Each year, millions of people get sick from unsafe food.

Causes of Foodborne Illness

There are three different types of foodborne illnesses, infection, intoxication, and toxin-mediated infection. Different microorganisms are responsible for different illnesses.

Infection -A foodborne illness (infection) is when a person eats food containing harmful microorganisms, which then grow in the intestinal tract and cause illness. Some bacteria, all viruses, and all parasites cause foodborne illness via infection. The foodborne bacteria that cause infection are: Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Yersinia enterocolitica. The most common viral agents that cause foodborne illness are: Hepatitis A, norovirus, and rotavirus. The most common foodborne parasites are: Trichinella spiralis, Anisakis simplex, Giaria duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Cyclospora cayetanensis.

Intoxication results when a person eats food containing toxins that cause illness. Toxins are produced by harmful microorganisms, the result of a chemical contamination, or are naturally part of a plant or seafood. Some bacteria cause an intoxication. Viruses and parasites do not cause foodborne intoxication. The foodborne bacteria that cause intoxication are: Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Bacillus cereus. Chemicals that can cause an intoxication include cleaning products, sanitizers, pesticides and metals (lead, copper, brass, zinc, antimony, and cadmium). Seafood toxins include ciguatera toxin, scombroid toxin, shellfish toxins, and systemic fish toxins. Plants and mushrooms can also cause an intoxication.

Toxin-mediated infection is when a person eats food containing harmful bacteria. While in the intestinal tract, the bacteria produce toxins that cause illness. Some bacteria cause toxin-mediated infection. Viruses and parasites do not cause a toxin-mediated infection. The foodborne bacteria that cause toxin-mediated infection are: Shigella spp. And Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

Common symptoms of foodborne illness are diarrhea and/or vomiting, typically lasting 1 to 7 days. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, joint/back aches, and fatigue.

What some people call the "stomach flu" may actually be a foodborne illness caused by a pathogen (i.e., virus, bacteria, or parasite) in contaminated food or drink. The incubation period (the time between exposure to the pathogen and onset of symptoms) can range from several hours to 1 week.

Foods Associated with Foodborne Illness-

What used to be called Potentially Hazardous Foods is now called TCS foods. TCS stands for food that needs time and temperature control for safety. The list below outlines which foods are on the TCS list.

Raw foods of animal origin, that is, raw meat and poultry, raw eggs, unpasteurized milk, and raw shellfish are the most likely to be contaminated.

Fruits and vegetables can also be contaminated with animal waste when manure is used to fertilize produce in the field, or unclean water is used for washing the produce.

Raw sprouts are particularly concerning because the conditions under which they are sprouted are ideal for growing microbes.

Unpasteurized fruit juices or cider can also be contaminated if there are pathogens on the fruit that is used to make it.

Any food item that is touched by a person who is ill with vomiting or diarrhea, or who has recently had such an illness, can become contaminated. When these food items are not subsequently cooked (e.g., salads, cut fruit) they can pass the illness to other people.

If you suspect you have a foodborne illness, contact your states Department of Health.

Minnesota Department of Health
1-877-FOOD-ILL (1-877-366-3455)

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-1865

Arizona Department of Health Services
Division of Public Health Services
Office of Environmental Health
150 N. 18th Avenue,
Suite 430
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-3118
(602) 364-3146 Fax

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987
Website: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/