Food Poisoning Causes & Risks

Causes

Food poisoning is caused by substances in foods or beverages, including:

Bacteria
Poisons (toxins) produced by bacteria
Viruses
Amoeba or parasites
Chemicals

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

Risk factors include:

Poor hygiene
Poor refrigeration
Lack of knowledge of safe food preparation
Weakened immune system, including during pregnancy
Age: infants and elderly

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.