Subscribe to get free news, tips and updates. Advertisement Sun Care Food Safety Guide Illness caused by contaminated or improperly prepared foods cause up to 81 million people to get sick each year, with almost 9000 of these illnesses leading to death.
Children are among the people most at risk for serious illness from food poisoning.
Almost any food can become contaminated by a virus, bacteria, or parasite and cause food poisoning. Foods can also make you sick if they are contaminated with pesticides or other toxins. The most common symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and fever and they begin a short time after eating a contaminated food. In most people symptoms are mild and clear up quickly, but food poisoning can lead to dehydration, kidney failure and even death. Fruits and vegetables can also be contaminated with viruses such as hepatitis A and parasites.