What are Different Types of Food Poisoning and How Can You Avoid Them?

Foodborne illnesses can be transmitted through various foods. Explore the causes of food poisoning and learn how to prevent it.

By Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi; Medically Reviewed by Dr. Ahmad Talha Azam
Jan 11, 2024 4:00 PM
woman in bed with stomach cramps from food poisoning
(Credit: TORWAISTUDIO/Shutterstock)

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A head of lettuce sealed in plastic. A chicken tender from the hot bar at the local grocery. A bowl of cereal. An oyster served on a bed of ice at a fancy seafood bar. 

Which of these foods can give you food poisoning?

Most people might guess the oyster, but the answer is that any of these foods — even the cooked and packaged ones — can carry foodborne illness.

Food contamination can lead to illnesses that are uncomfortable or painful. For the very young, elderly, or people with compromised health, food contamination can even be deadly.

What Is a Foodborne Illness?

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