Foodborne Infections and their Prevention

Bacterial infections are one of the major causes for foodborne illness. Nausea, fever, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are common symptoms of food poisoning. Raw meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and unpasteurized dairy products may harbor harmful bacteria that can cause illness. Unsanitary food preparation or eating under cooked or partially cooked food and handling can also encourage bacterial growth. Bacteria that cause food poisoning include:

  • Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni)
  • Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum
  • Escherichia coli (E. coli)