Ways to Contract Foodborne Illness

 Posted on March 05, 2017 in Food borne illness

There are many ways you can become ill after consuming food. You are probably aware that it is likely to become ill after consuming spoiled food. Though this can lead to food poisoning, it is not the only way to become ill after eating.

Below are numerous ways to potentially become ill after eating food. Be aware of the foods that put you at risk for each type of foodborne illness and how to reduce your chance of becoming ill. If you are pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system, you have a greater risk of suffering from food poisoning than individuals who are not in these categories. Young children also have an increased risk of developing food poisoning. If another party's negligence is to blame for your food poisoning illness, such as a restaurant or a food vendor, you can potentially recover compensation for your damages through a food poisoning claim.

Consuming Spoiled Food

When food enters the danger zone, 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, harmful bacteria can grow and thrive within it. Food should be served hot and allowed to stand and when it is time to put the food away, it should be cooled first, then stored in a refrigerator or freezer. A few examples of this type of food poisoning include Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus poisoning.

Contracting Foodborne Illness from Parasites

It is possible to become ill after consuming food contaminated with parasites, such as Cyclospora cayetanensis or Toxoplasma gondil. Rather than growing in food that enters the danger zone, parasites enter food when the food comes into contact with a contaminated individual or feces from a contaminated person or animal. Contaminated water can also infect foods with parasites.

Parasites, like harmful bacteria, can be spread through cross-contamination. Some foodborne parasites are single-celled, microscopic organisms. Others are large enough to be seen with the naked eye.

Consuming Food with Natural Toxins

Some foods naturally contain toxins. These foods must be prepared carefully to avoid causing the consumer to become ill after eating them. A few examples of food that contain natural toxins include:

• Wild mushrooms;
• Wild berries;
• Shellfish; and
• Red kidney beans.

Natural toxins can cause the consumer to become ill after penetrating the cells of the individual's intestine. Individuals who are sensitive to food poisoning should be as careful with these types of food as they are with other food hazards.

The pesticides used to grow food can also cause consumers to become ill. Pesticide poisoning has similar symptoms to other types of food poisoning, such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache, and nausea.

Work with an Experienced Mundelein Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you or your child have suffered from the symptoms of a foodborne illness because of another party's negligence, consider working with an experienced personal injury lawyer to pursue the compensation you deserve for your damages. Contact our team at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your initial consultation in our office. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.

(image courtesy of Harshal Hirve)