This page was reviewed or revised on Wednesday, September 07, 2011 3:30 PM
Food borne illness, better known as food poisoning, can happen to anyone. It probably has happened to you before and you thought it was just a "flu bug." Perhaps you took a day or two off work to recover and thought nothing more about it.
Every year in Canada there are between 5000 and 7000 confirmed cases of food borne illness. However, it is estimated that 2.2 million Canadians suffer from food borne illness each year at a cost to the Canadian economy of approximately $1.3 billion.
Pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella are the main causes of food poisoning. While stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms, severe cases do require hospitalization. With infants, the chronically ill or very old, food poisoning may even result in death.
Ways you can reduce food borne illness
- By practicing safe food handling techniques you can directly reduce the incidence of food poisoning.
- By immediately reporting suspected cases of food poisoning to the health unit it can allow a timely investigation to occur, which may prevent someone else from becoming ill.
Recent Updates
DineSafe Lambton
DineSafe Lambton is the new food safety inspection disclosure program in Lambton County. It is designed to give the public quick and easy access to food safety inspection results. This program will apply to all food establishments inspected by the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department. Read more about DineSafe
Protect Yourself From Sickness
Symptoms of illness caused by poorly handled food can range from vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and cramps to paralysis, kidney failure, and even death in some cases. Read more about food borne illnesses
Allergy Alert
Undeclared sulphites have been discovered in crystallized ginger. See our full list of food alerts
Cook Poultry Safely
Salmonella and Campylobacter are microorganisms that are known to cause food borne illness, these and other organisms are found in raw poultry and other foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. You can not tell by looking at food whether or not it is contaminated. Read more
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