Quick Scoop

Foodborne illness is an illness caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages. It is usually triggered by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or chemicals in the food.

Common causes

• Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
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• Viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A.
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• Parasites and toxins or chemicals that contaminate food or water.
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Simple definition

You could finish the sentence like this: foodborne illness is illness caused by contaminated food or drinks.

Why it happens

It can happen when food is undercooked, not stored safely, cross-contaminated, or exposed to dirty water or unsafe handling. Raw meat, poultry, eggs, unpasteurized milk, seafood, and some produce are common sources.

TL;DR

Foodborne illness is caused by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated beverages, most often because of germs, toxins, or chemicals in the food.