Common Causes of Food Poisoning, Part I

Food poisoning is a topic that has come up in many headlines across the country this year. There have been many related recalls due to food products being contaminated. In order to protect ourselves from the illnesses and other side effects of food poisoning, we must be aware of the most common causes. Salmonella This bacteria has more than 2000 varieties is commonly found in meat products, such as chicken, but also can be found in eggs, milk and even raw vegetables. In fact, when having a water test done in your home, the lab will be looking for signs of Salmonella in your water supply.

E. coli

Another common name, E. coli is a microorganism commonly associated with ground beef. Again though, there are many forms that E. coli can come in. It has been found in fresh produce, on nuts, in water supplies and even in raw dough. Well in most cases E. Coli just causes basic intestinal issues, such as diarrhea and vomiting, in rare instances, it can be much more severe, attacking internal organs and becoming life-threatening.

Botulinum toxin

This is a different type of food poisoning. It differs from E. coli and salmonella because it is a paralytic. The effect of exposure is known as Botulism. Fewer than 200 cases are reported each year in the United States. Of these, just 15% are foodborne. The result is often double vision drooping eyelids slurred speech fatigue muscle weakness and constipation. When untreated, botulism can result in muscle paralysis, taking away a person's ability to move, talk, breathe, and thrive. Fortunately, there are antitoxins available today that can be used to stop the spread of the toxin and speed recovery time.

These are just three of the poisons that can be transferred via food. It is very important to follow food safety protocol when cooking, serving, and consuming. When food poisoning is due to the negligence of another person or organization, medical bills and lost wages can be recouped with the help of a personal injury attorney.