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Food Science & Technology vocabulary · Food Microbiology

Foodborne illness

Meaning in food science & technology, with examples

nounCore term

In food science & technology, foodborne illness means: Any illness caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with harmful microorganisms, their toxins, chemicals or parasites.

In Turkish: gıda kaynaklı hastalık, gıda zehirlenmesi

How it is used

The technical term in public health and food safety; 'food poisoning' is the everyday phrase. Health authorities investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness and trace them to a food and a source. Typical symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever. It is also written 'food-borne'.

Example sentences

  1. The outbreak of foodborne illness was linked to undercooked chicken at a wedding.

  2. Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented with proper cooking, cooling and handwashing.

Common collocations

  • outbreak of foodborne illness
  • cause foodborne illness
  • foodborne pathogen
  • food poisoning
  • foodborne disease
  • pathogenA microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus or parasite, that can cause disease in people who eat or drink a contaminated product.
  • SalmonellaA group of bacteria that cause salmonellosis, a common foodborne illness, often linked to raw or undercooked poultry, eggs and meat, and to some fresh produce.
  • ListeriaA group of bacteria; the species Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a rare but serious foodborne illness that is especially dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, older people and people with weak immunity.
  • contaminationThe presence or entry of something harmful or unwanted in food, such as microorganisms, chemicals, allergens or pieces of glass, metal or plastic.
  • food safetyThe practices and conditions that keep food free from hazards, so that it does not make people ill when it is prepared and eaten as intended.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Food Microbiology

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