If you think you have food poisoning
- visit your doctor and request for a stool sample to be examined
- contact us if you believe your illness is caused by a food business
- wash your hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet
- disinfect door and toilet handles, taps and toilet seat and disinfect the toilet bowl frequently
- drink plenty of fluids to reduce dehydration
- If your job involves handling food or you work with the elderly, young children or people who are unwell
- tell your employer of your illness immediately and follow their advice
- stay away from work until your symptoms have stopped for at least 48 hours
- tell your employer before you return to work
- keep up high standards of personal hygiene once back at work as you could pass on the infection for several weeks
The main symptoms of food poisoning
- diarrhoea
- stomach cramps
- vomiting
- fever
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
The main causes of food poisoning and how to prevent it
Food poisoning can be very serious, especially for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, who are more at risk of severe illness.
It can be caused by various bacteria including:
Following these tips will help you prepare, make and store food safely.
- cook food thoroughly – follow time and temperature guidance. For barbeques, consider pre-cooking chicken and pork in the oven, then finish on your barbecue grill.
- keep food chilled below five degrees Celsius until ready to cook, to slow bacterial growth.
- clean equipment and surfaces well to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.
- avoid cross-contamination – keep raw and ready to eat foods separate. Don’t wash raw meat, as this can spread germs onto your hands, utensils, and worktops
- stick to 'use by' dates – food may look or smell fine but could still be unsafe.
- maintain good personal hygiene when preparing food to avoid spreading bacteria.
You can visit The Food Standards Agency campaign on food safety and hygiene at home which has more information to help reduce your risk of getting ill.
Barbeque food safety
Summer barbeques are a great way to enjoy the sunshine, but warm weather and outdoor cooking can increase the risk of food poisoning, so it’s especially important to follow the guidance. You can find lots more information on barbeque safety on the Food Standards Agency website.
Further information
More information about food poisoning is available on:
- the Food Standards Agency website
- the NHS Food poisoning and its causes website
- Eating out, parties and events
- Food hygiene ratings