Foodborne illnesses can also take place in the home. A foodborne illness occurs when a person eats a food that contains a bacteria, virus, or parasite. Most of these organisms, also called pathogens , cannot be seen, smelled, or even tasted.
People can also get sick when chemicals such as lead and pesticides get into food.
This can happen when food is cooked or stored at the wrong temperature. The cooking area is not kept clean. For example, when insects or rodents get into the kitchen area. The cooking utensils are not cleaned properly. For example, a board used to cut raw meat is then used for foods eaten raw.