Raw or undercooked eggs may sometimes contain Salmonella . Since cooking kills any threat of Salmonella , be sure to choose recipes for foods like homemade mayonnaise, Hollandaise sauce, some ice creams and egg nog that include a step to cook the eggs. Staphylococcal bacteria most frequently occur when food has been improperly handled after cooking. Boiling temperature does not destroy the toxin but does destroy the bacteria. Staph food poisoning results when foods such as cream puddings and pies, deviled eggs, fish salad, ham sandwiches and poultry have been carelessly handled.
Staph bacteria produce a toxin in the food as they multiply.
This toxin or poison causes illness when infected food is eaten. Clostridium botulinum forms heat-resistant spores that are widely distributed. This organism produces a toxin that is odorless, tasteless, colorless and invisible. It is one of the most deadly poisons known to man. Clostridium perfringens is another culprit that causes food poisoning.