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Dangers of Food Poisoning

By Kimberly Juarez
Posted: 06/24/2026

   We've all heard about food poisoning, but probably don't pay much attention to it because we don't think it could happen to us. This, however, is not the case. Anyone can get food poisoning, and unfortunately, for some, it can become dangerous.  Stay tuned for more information on symptoms and what causes food poisoning.  

         Before we get started, let's talk about a few things that can cause food poisoning. A variety of things can cause food poisoning. One of the causes is poor sanitation. Therefore, it is important to wash your hands at every step of cooking. Washing vegetables and fruits is also a good way to prevent the spread of germs. Cleaning the kitchen and utensils after use is another great way to help prevent the growth of germs and bacteria. Another cause of food poisoning can be cross-contamination. One way this happens is by putting raw foods and cooked foods in proximity to each other without proper storage. Undercooked or raw food can also cause illness. This happens because the food may not reach a high enough temperature to kill any bacteria it may have. Lastly, it is, keeping the food cold. It is recommended to keep one's fridge at 40 F. Leftover food should be refrigerated at most 2 hours after being cooked to prevent illness. (Note: If you are unsure if a food is safe to eat its better to be safe and toss it.)

 

Now onto symptoms. 

Common Symptoms:

- Diarrhea
- Pain in the abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bodyaches

Severe Symptoms: (Note: seek medical care if you have any of these symptoms)

- Temperature of 102 F or higher
- Constant Vomiting
- Dehydration (immense thirst, trouble urinating, dizziness, dry mouth, etc)
- Bloody Diarrhea or Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days
- Nervous System problems, such as weak muscles, blurry vision, etc
- Any changes in mental state (feeling confused, irritable, etc.
       It is also important to note that some people have a higher risk of having complications with food poisoning. People who are high risk include those who are pregnant as well as their unborn children, children under the age of 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems (people with diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions, transplant recipients, etc). Severe cases can cause hospitalizations and even death. Therefore, it's important to take food safety and any symptoms that may appear seriously. 

Another friendly reminder, if you are unsure whether a certain food was handled properly or is unsafe to eat, it's best not to eat it. Your health is of the utmost importance, and it's better to be on the safe side. 

 

Some Helpful Resources:

Food Poisoning -  Mayo Clinic

People at Risk of Foodborne Illness - FDA

Symptoms & Causes of Food Poisoning - NIH

Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning - CDC

Article Sources:

 

CDC. (2024b, May 17). Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning. Food Safety. https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 14). Symptoms of Food Poisoning. Food Safety. https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/signs-symptoms/index.html

Food Poisoning. (n.d.). Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/food-poisoning

Key Facts about Food Poisoning. (2020, June 4). FoodSafety.gov. https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/key-facts-about-food-poisoning

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Food poisoning - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20356230

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020, February 11). Symptoms & Causes of Food Poisoning | NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes

Nutrition, C. for F. S. and A. (2020b, October 19). People at Risk of Foodborne Illness. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/people-risk-foodborne-illness