It can affect several members of a household, multiple customers who dined at a particular restaurant, nursing home patients, or children in day care facility. Symptoms similar to those caused by food poisoning can also be caused by viral gastroenteritis, emotional stress, food allergy, drugs, hepatitis, appendicitis or other disorders. Abdominal cramps or pain. In severe cases, shock and collapse.
Botulism is a rare, life-threatening form of food poisoning.
Lack of good hygiene when preparing food. Drinking water or eating raw foods when traveling in a foreign country. Don't consume raw or undercooked eggs. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products. Keep picnic foods cool, especially those made with mayonnaise.