Food Poisoning
What is food poisoning?
Most food poisoning is caused by eating or drinking food which is contaminated. Contamination may be caused by any of the following;
• Bacteria • Viruses
• Chemicals • Toxins
Most food poisoning is caused by bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter. We have other fact sheets available for these specific food poisoning bacteria.
Foods most commonly involved with food poisoning are meat and poultry, shellfish, rice and dairy products.
Most food poisoning is related to food prepared in the home
There is usually no way of telling whether food is contaminated. Food looks, tastes and smells normal.
What are the symptoms of food poisoning?
Symptoms will vary depending on which type of food poisoning you have, but will usually include some or all of the following;
• Vomiting (being sick) • Diarrhoea • Aching muscles
• Headache • Fever • Tiredness
• Nausea (feeling sick) • Abdominal pain • stomach cramps
Some contamination like chemicals and poisons can make you ill very quickly (within minutes), but most bacteria do not. Bacteria take quite a long time to make you ill because they have to increase in numbers inside your body before causing illness. This can take up to three days, so the contaminated food may not be the last food you ate. It is natural to think that it is the last meal which made you ill, but this may not be the case.
How do I catch food poisoning?
By eating or drinking contaminated food, like undercooked meat, poultry and eggs
By touching contaminated food, like undercooked meat, poultry and eggs and then eating or preparing some other food without washing and drying your hands
From someone who is ill with food poisoning who hasn’t washed and dried their hands properly after using the toilet
Handling pets and animals without washing and drying hands properly afterwards or allowing pets on to kitchen work-surfaces
How will I know I have food poisoning?
You will probably have vomiting and diarrhoea along with some or all of the other symptoms. If you think you have food poisoning, you should contact your Doctor. He/she may ask you to provide a stool sample. This will be tested in a laboratory to find out what has caused your food poisoning. Sometimes these tests do not find a specific cause.
How do I avoid food poisoning?
Cook all meat properly especially chicken and minced meats
Avoid using raw or undercooked eggs (including as an ingredient in another food e.g. mayonnaise).
Avoid eating or drinking unpasteurised milk and cheeses etc.
Take care not to let blood from thawing meat drip onto other foods in your fridge.
Wash and dry your hands often, and always between handling raw and cooked foods and after using the toilet.
Keep your kitchen clean, especially your dishcloths and work surfaces
Keep your fridge working between 10C and 50C (get a fridge thermometer)
Keep raw and cooked food separate, including using separate chopping boards for raw and cooked foods
What special care should I take if I have vomiting and/or diarrhoea?
Good personal hygiene to avoid spreading the infection to other people
Personal hygiene is very important when looking after someone else who is ill with food poisoning
Avoid contact with as many people as possible until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours
Drink plenty of water, even though you may not feel like it. Vomiting and diarrhoea cause your body to lose water. Water loss (dehydration) can be serious over a period of several days.
How long should I stay off work/school/nursery?
Most adults and children over five years should stay away from work until they are feeling better.
People working with food must stay off work until they have been symptom free for two days. You must tell your employer about your illness.
People working with vulnerable groups e.g. the young, elderly or those in poor health, must stay off work until they have been symptom free for two days. You must tell your employer about your illness.
Young children should stay away from playgroups, childminders or nursery school until they have been symptom free for two days.
Who cares if I have food poisoning?
Your GP and your local Environmental Health Officer care.
Your GP will give you advice about the medical aspects of food poisoning. Your local Environmental Health Officer may also contact you and offer advice and ask some questions to try to see where the illness has come from and to find out about whether you need to stay off work e.g. if you are a food handler.
For further information and advice, please contact:
Department: Environmental Health Department
Phone 020 8547 5540
E-mail: jane.harmsworth@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Address: Guildhall,Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1EU
Website: www.kingston.gov.uk
Produced by SW London Health Protection Unit
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