Foodborne Illness

health · food safety · germs · body defense

Germs cause it. Foodborne illnesses come from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and prions that contaminate food. These tiny invaders can multiply in food that isn't handled or cooked properly.

Some foods are naturally dangerous. Certain foods like raw or undercooked beans, poisonous mushrooms, and peanuts with aflatoxins (a natural mold poison) can cause illness. Boiling beans for at least 10 minutes destroys their harmful toxins.

Your body fights back. Many symptoms of foodborne illness don't come directly from the germs themselves. Your immune system reacts to attack the invaders, and this response is what makes you feel sick with things like fever, nausea, or diarrhea.

Everyone reacts differently. Not everyone gets sick from the same contaminated food. Some people's bodies have fought similar germs before and are better prepared, while others might have no immunity at all.

Prevention is the best medicine. You can avoid foodborne illness by washing your hands, cooking food to the right temperature, keeping raw and cooked foods separate, and storing food properly in the refrigerator.