Definition

Food poisoning is a general term for health problems caused by eating contaminated food. Food may be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, toxins (poisons) from the environment, or toxins within the food itself. Symptoms of food poisoning usually include vomiting and diarrhea. Some toxins also affect the nervous system.

Description

Each year, millions of people suffer from bouts of vomiting and diarrhea that they blame on "something I ate." These people are usually correct. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that anywhere from six to thirty-three million cases of food poisoning occur in the United States each year. Many cases are mild. They pass so quickly that they are never diagnosed. On occasion, a severe outbreak affects a number of people. Newspapers, radio, and television may report on the outbreak.

Many kinds of food poisoning are caused by bacteria. The most...