Food Borne Illness

This page was reviewed or revised on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.

Most food borne illnesses are a result of enteric infections or intoxications resulting from pathogenic bacteria or viruses. Symptoms of illness range from vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and cramps to paralysis, kidney failure, and even death in some cases.

Symptoms of illness can arise after the consumption of the contaminated food or water over a wide time range - as quickly as 30 minutes or as long as 2 weeks later. Most often, symptoms of illness arise between 4 and 48 hours after eating contaminated food.

For more information on food borne illness, or if you suspect that a food borne illness has occurred, please contact your local public health inspector as soon as possible.

Related Links:

• Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors - Ontario Branch
• Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts
• Canadian Partnership For Consumer Food Safety Education