More than 250 foodborne diseases have been described.
Symptoms vary widely depending on etiologic agent.
Diarrhea and vomiting are the most common. Sequelae Septicemia, abortion, localized infections, arthritis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, Guillain-Barr syndrome, death. Transmission Ingestion of contaminated food, with or without subsequent spread from person to person by the fecal-oral route. Infants, elderly, and the immunocompromised at greatest risk of serious illness and death. Overall incidence of reported outbreaks has not changed, but proportion caused by fruits and vegetables has been increasing.