Food poisoning

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating or drinking food that has been contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, toxins or other substances.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach cramps or pain
• fever
• headache

Symptoms usually start 1 to 3 days after eating contaminated food, but they can appear sooner or take longer.

Food poisoning is not always caused by the last meal you ate. Some illnesses can spread from other people or from contaminated surfaces.

Most people recover without medical treatment. If you are unwell:

• drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• eat simple foods such as toast, rice or crackers.
• get plenty of rest.

Symptoms usually last a few days. Contact your GP or NHS 111 if symptoms are severe, last a long time, or you are worried about your health.

Preventing the spread of infection

Food poisoning can spread easily between people, especially in households, schools and childcare settings.

To help stop the spread of infection:

• wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
• wash your hands before handling food.
• wash your hands after caring for someone who is ill.
• clean up vomit or diarrhoea immediately using hot soapy water and a suitable disinfectant.
• regularly clean toilet flushes, door handles and other frequently touched surfaces.

Anyone can get food poisoning. However, some people are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill, including:

• young children
• older people
• pregnant women
• people with weakened immune systems or existing health conditions

Common causes of food poisoning

Food poisoning can be caused by:

• bacteria and the toxins they produce
• viruses
• chemicals and metals
• poisonous plants and foods
• allergic reactions

Common types of bacterial food poisoning

The most common bacteria linked to food poisoning are:

• campylobacter
• salmonella
• E. coli
• clostridium perfringens
• staphylococcus aureus

Mould on food

Some moulds can cause allergic reactions and breathing problems. Certain moulds can also produce harmful substances called mycotoxins.

Mould can grow in a refrigerator, even at low temperatures.

If you find mould on food, do not assume it is safe to eat. Read this BBC article about advice on whether you can eat mouldy food.

Foods most likely to cause food poisoning

Food poisoning can happen if food is not stored, handled or cooked safely. Higher-risk foods include:

• raw meat and poultry
• cooked meats and sliced meats
• pâté
• soft cheeses
• pre-packed sandwiches
• eggs
• milk and dairy products

Common causes of contamination

Food poisoning can occur when:

• food is prepared too far in advance and left unrefrigerated.
• food is not cooked thoroughly.
• food is not reheated to a high enough temperature.
• frozen food is not fully defrosted before cooking.
• raw food comes into contact with ready-to-eat food.
• hot food is kept below 63°C.
• someone who is unwell prepares food

Food handlers and work

People who handle food as part of their job should seek advice from their local Environmental Health department if they have symptoms of food poisoning.

Staff working in food businesses, healthcare settings, nurseries and other care environments may be excluded from work until they are no longer infectious.

More information is available on the official government website.

If you think you have food poisoning

If you think you have food poisoning:

• contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice
• make a note of what you ate, where you ate it, and when
• keep a record of your symptoms and when they started

Your GP may ask for a stool (faecal) sample. This can help identify the cause of your illness.

If a food poisoning organism is confirmed, the results may be shared with Environmental Health. An Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may contact you as part of an investigation.

How food poisoning is investigated

Environmental Health Officers investigate reports of food poisoning.
They may ask:

• what foods you ate before becoming ill
• where you ate them
• when your symptoms started
• whether any food remains for testing
• whether you have travelled recently
• whether you submitted a stool sample
• whether anyone else who ate with you became ill

If a food business is linked to the illness, an EHO may inspect the premises and take food samples for testing.

The inspection may look at how food is:

• stored
• prepared
• cooked
• served

Reporting a concern

To report a food poisoning concern linked to premises in the Borough, contact the Food Safety Team:

• online 
• phone: 020 7361 3002
• email: [email protected] 

outside working hours, emergency calls are transferred to an out of hours service.

Compensation Claims

If you are seeking compensation or a refund, the Council will not investigate the complaint.

You should:

• contact the business directly, or
• seek independent legal advice if you wish to make a compensation claim