Food Toxicology 2(2+0)

Lesson 9 : Toxicants Found in Foods

Causes of food poisoning

Food poisoning may be caused by a variety of sources including:

• bacteria
• viruses
• chemicals
• metals
• Poisonous plants/animals.

Food poisoning commonly occurs when:

• high risk food is contaminated
• bacteria multiply in the food
• Bacteria survive within the food.

• Bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning. Bacteria can multiply in food and usually a large number of bacteria are required to make people ill.
• Viruses do not multiply in food but a smaller number are required to cause illness. Airborne infection is common and can spread easily from person to person.
• Chemical food poisoning is rare and usually results from accidental ingestion of poisonous chemicals.
• Metals can cause food poisoning; if food becomes contaminated with metals such as lead and mercury and is ingested it can cause illness.
• Poisonous plants and animals such as Japanese Puffer Fish, fava beans can cause illness when ingested.