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Food Poisoning & Food Borne Disease: Causes & Prevention

All cases of food poisoning or suspected food poisoning are legally notifiable

Portsmouth City Council investigates food poisoning cases notified to us by GP's and Public Health Laboratories as part of its role to protect public health.  The investigation is carried out by the Commercial Team (part of the Public Protection Service).

The purpose of our investigation is to:

• Determine the source of the infection
• Prevent the spread of infection
• Prevent a recurrence of the infection
• Fulful the duty of enforcing food safety legislation
• Give appropriate advice

There has been a continual rise in notifications of food poisoning since 1987.  Camplyobacter infections are now the most common.  Salmonella cases however have recently declined in number, mainly thought to be due to the vaccination of poultry flocks.

It is generally accepted that notified cases represent only a small proportion of the actual cases of food poisoning, with many people not visiting their GP's.

Food poisoning cases are estimated to cost millions of pounds annually in terms of absence from work, investigation, treatment and costs to the affected individual and their families.

By far the greatest number of food poisoning cases occur through travel abroad or in the home as a result of poor food handling practices.

This leaflet is therefore intended to provide the consumer with the basic facts about food poisoning and the main ways in which it can be prevented.

More information

What is Food Poisoning?
How do you get Food Poisoning?
Ten Factors contributing to outbreaks of Food Poisoning
Food Safety Advice
Advice to Persons who have Food Poisoning symptoms

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