Food poisoning - a continuing problem

Symptoms of food poisoning can range from a mild stomach upset to serious illness. The commonest symptoms are stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhoea. If these are painful or persistent consult your doctor, especially if you are elderly, pregnant or the sufferer is a child. If you are only mildly ill, take plenty of fluids and rest until you feel ready to eat solid food again.

What causes food poisoning

Salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria are the most common causes of food poisoning. Eggs and poultry have been the main source of salmonella infections, while campylobacter can be carried by poultry, meat, shellfish, and doorstep milk which has been pecked at by birds. Household pets can also be a source. Another type of food poisoning bacterium is Listeria, found in unpasteurised dairy products, some ready-prepared and unwashed salads and chilled ready-meals. Listeria infection is relatively rare, but pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems need to take special care to avoid it. Unlike other bacteria, Listeria can thrive below 5oC – the temperature at which we're advised to keep our fridges. Food poisoning caused by a type of E.coli bacteria can be particularly severe and can cause kidney failure and death, particularly in the young or the old. Although this kind of food poisoning is still relatively rare, cases have increased dramatically in recent years, with most cases associated with under-cooked meat, particularly beef products such as burgers.