The common name for illness caused by eating food contaminated with harmful microbes, toxins or chemicals.
Gastro (gastroenteritis) is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can be caused by food poisoning, but it can also spread person to person or through contaminated water, so not all gastro is foodborne.
Most cases clear up within one to three days. If symptoms are severe, include blood, or last longer, or if the person is very young, elderly or pregnant, medical advice should be sought.
Reheating to a safe temperature can kill many bacteria, but it does not destroy some pre-formed toxins. That is why preventing bacteria from growing in the first place is more reliable than trying to fix it later.
Yes. Reporting suspected food poisoning to your local council or state health authority helps identify and stop outbreaks. Businesses should also record and investigate any complaints they receive.
Potentially hazardous foods such as raw and cooked meat and poultry, dairy, eggs, seafood, cooked rice and pasta, and prepared salads are common culprits when they are not kept at safe temperatures.