Food Poisoning
What is Food Poisoning?
Most people think food poisoning is just caused by bacteria, and to be fair that is the most common cause – but other causes can include
-
Bacterial Toxins
-
Other toxins
-
Viruses
-
Chemicals
If a number of people ate at the same venue and have the same food poisoning-type symptoms, this may be due to a food poisoning outbreak. There are two main ways we can find out about potential cases, i.e.
-
Anyone suffering from food poisoning that may be the result of a problem at food premises can contact us, and we will then investigate as appropriate
-
Our routine investigation of food poisoning cases may show a pattern that suggests a particular premises may be involved
What to do if you think a food premises caused your illness
If you suspect you may be suffering from food poisoning go and see your GP who may arrange for a faecal sample to be taken.
If you are aware of other people who ate at the same premises or ate the same food and are also ill, you should contact us|, and we will then investigate as appropriate.
Food Poisoning Outbreaks
If we think that a food poisoning outbreak may have occurred, our investigation into the outbreak will involve:
-
Interviewing people who are ill
-
Interviewing others who ate at the venue but didn't have symptoms
-
Taking samples if appropriate
-
Inspecting the implicated venue.
If there is enough evidence implicating a food premises within the area as a possible source of the outbreak, we may decide
-
to carry out a food hygiene inspection, taking informal or formal action based on what we find
-
to instigate our Outbreak Control Plan, particularly if the outbreak affects a lot of people an/or more than one food premises.
Bacterial Food Poisoning
The usual definition of food poisoning is an infection or intoxification in the human gut caused by the consumption of food or water which has contaminated by food poisoning organisms or their toxins.
Common Food Poisoning Bacteria
Common food poisoning bacteria include:-