![\"Foodborne](\"https:\/\/andyapp.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/English_Blog-Cover_New-Design-3.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
While it’s true that foodborne illness, infection, and intoxication<\/strong> are terms related to diseases caused by microorganisms or toxic substances, each refers to a completely different process.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important not to confuse or mix them up.<\/p>\n In any case, what is certainly true is that foodborne illnesses (FBIs) are a global problem that can affect many unsuspecting people.<\/p>\n And that’s why today, we\u2019d like to clarify these concepts.<\/p>\n Nerea Crist\u00f3falo, Food Safety Consultant at Andy, clarifies the differences between each of them in this post.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A foodborne illness is a disease caused by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with microorganisms that produce toxins in the small intestine.<\/span><\/p>\n These microorganisms can be bacteria, viruses, or parasites.<\/span><\/p>\n The toxin produced by the microorganism is absorbed by the body and causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and fever.<\/span><\/p>\n In general, we talk about “foodborne illnesses” because it’s often not clear if the causative agent is a toxin or a live microorganism, but until the origin of the FBI is known, we should talk about Foodborne Illness.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some examples of foodborne illnesses include:<\/strong><\/p>\n An infection is a disease caused by the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n Foodborne infection occurs when contaminated food or water containing live microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, is ingested. These microorganisms can multiply in the food or the human body and cause a range of symptoms that can vary in severity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Some examples of microorganisms that can cause foodborne infections are Salmonella, rotavirus, or Anisakis.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Intoxication is a disease caused by the ingestion of toxic substances such as chemicals, poisons, drugs, or alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n Toxic substances can be absorbed by the body through the gastrointestinal tract or inhaled through the lungs.<\/span><\/p>\n These substances can come from cleaning products, pesticides, veterinary medicines, or environmental contaminations. Some examples of toxins that can cause food poisoning are botulinum toxin or aflatoxin.<\/span><\/p>\n The symptoms of intoxication can vary depending on the toxic substance and the amount ingested but may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even death.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In other words, the main difference between foodborne illness, infection, and intoxication is the underlying cause of the disease.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Foodborne illness is caused by microorganisms that produce toxins in the intestine, infection is caused by the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body, and intoxication is caused by the ingestion of toxic substances.<\/span><\/p>\n The difference between foodborne infection and intoxication lies in the agent that causes the disease.<\/span><\/p>\n In foodborne infections, the agent is a live microorganism that multiplies in the food or our body and can cause a set of different symptoms. In foodborne intoxication, the agent is a toxic substance that produces damage in our organism.<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It’s important to know the difference between both types of diseases to prevent and treat them properly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Among other important hygiene processes, by preventing cross-contamination<\/strong> or the transfer of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens) from a contaminated food to one that isn’t, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Following good food handling practices as those outlined below:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is a Foodborne Illness?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/h1>\n
What is an infection? <\/strong><\/h3>\n
What is an intoxication?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How do we prevent foodborne illnesses, intoxications, and infections in a foodservice business?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Dise\u00f1o](\"https:\/\/andyapp.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/AndyTalks-Ep-1-Blog-Cover-10.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/h1>\n
How do we prevent cross-contamination?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n