Preventing Food Poisoning
What is Food Poisoning?
Foodborne illness (sometimes called foodborne disease, foodborne infection, or food poisoning) is common, costly – and preventable. CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food every year.
You can get food poisoning after swallowing food that has been contaminated with a variety of germs (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or toxic substances (chemical toxins or natural toxins such as those in some mushrooms and molds).
- Some foods are contaminated before they reach a kitchen.
- Others are contaminated by food handlers.
Protect Yourself from Food Poisoning
Keep Food Safe
![4 steps to food safety - clean, separate, cook, chill](images/4-steps-graphic.png)
Learn the four steps (clean, separate, cook, chill) to protect your family from food poisoning.
How Food Gets Contaminated
![Small version of The Food Production Chain infographic](images/food-production-chain-135px.jpg)
Food contamination can occur at any point—during production, processing, distribution, or preparation.
- Page last reviewed: July 24, 2017
- Page last updated: September 5, 2017
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