What Can Contaminate my Food and Make me Sick?

 Posted on October 09, 2016 in Food poisoning attorney

Sometimes, food poisoning occurs as the result of a foreign particle in the victim's food, rather than due to the presence of harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria. In certain cases, the cause of illness is the bacteria that enters the food through these foreign particles and in other cases, the victim suffers a unique type of illness or injury due to the specific contaminant. In any case of food poisoning or a contaminant-related injury, medical attention should be sought in a timely manner if the victim's symptoms do not resolve on their own within a few days or if the victim is pregnant, a young child, elderly, or otherwise has a weakened immune system.

Chemical Contamination

It is important to note that many foods naturally contain chemicals. In fact, chemicals are all around us, both man-made and naturally occurring. But certain chemicals should not be in certain foods and when they are present in foods, they can pose a threat of illness. Examples of these chemicals include residues of veterinary medicines, pesticides, chemicals present in food packaging, and industrial chemicals from the plants where the foods are processed and packaged.

Metals

Many types of food are stored and sold in metal containers. It is possible for a piece of metal to contaminate a food product, putting any consumers of that product at risk of suffering illness or injury. This can happen during packaging or during cooking. For example, a piece of a metal grill brush can come off the brush and stick to the grill, then contaminate a food item prepared on the grill. Pieces of metal can scratch and puncture internal portions of the digestive system, causing bleeding, severe pain, and the potential for serious complications.

Glass

Food and beverages that are stored and sold in glass containers can potentially contain shards of glass, which can injure a victim's mouth, esophagus, or stomach. An individual who swallows glass can suffer severe abdominal pain and in some cases, internal bleeding. Individuals can experience bloody stools and an inability to swallow as well.
Parasites

When you consume any type of animal product, you are at risk of consuming parasites like tapeworms and ringworms. In fact, it is also possible to consume these kinds of parasites when eating vegetables because the parasites can be transmitted to vegetables through human or animal feces.

Symptoms of parasitic food poisoning include gastrointestinal discomfort, coughing, skin lesions, muscle pain, and malnutrition.

Work with an Experienced Arlington Heights Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you or your child have suffered from an illness after ingesting a foreign contaminant in a food, beverage, or other consumable product, you may be eligible to receive monetary compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Contact our team of experienced food poisoning lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your initial consultation in our office. We are a team of experienced food poisoning lawyers who can help you move forward with your claim. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove and Itasca.

(image courtesy of Jaroslav A. Polák)