What is the Difference Between Food Poisoning and Food Intoxication?

The main difference between food poisoning and food intoxication lies in the origin of the illness. Food poisoning, also known as foodborne intoxication, is caused by consuming food contaminated with toxins that are released by pathogens. On the other hand, food infections are caused by the presence of live microorganisms or their toxins in the food before consumption.

Key differences between food poisoning and food infections include:

• Origin: Food poisoning is caused by toxins released by microorganisms after they are ingested, while food infections are caused by the presence of toxins in food before consumption.
• Symptoms: Food poisoning is characterized by nausea and vomiting 0.5 to six hours after ingesting a contaminated food product. In more severe cases, abdominal cramps and diarrhea might occur with symptoms lasting up to 24 hours. Food infections, on the other hand, can cause various symptoms depending on the specific pathogen involved.
• Causative Agents: Food poisoning is primarily caused by the presence of toxins in the food consumed, which can be contaminated by toxins produced by natural degradation processes, adulterants, or naturally occurring toxins. Food infections are caused by the presence of live microorganisms or their toxins in the food before consumption.

Examples of food poisoning include Staphylococcal food poisoning, which is caused by consuming food contaminated with the toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus. An example of a food infection is Campylobacter jejuni, which is found in the intestinal tracts of animals, raw milk, untreated water, and sewage sludge, and can cause illness when consumed in contaminated food.

Comparative Table: Food Poisoning vs Food Intoxication

Here is a table comparing the differences between food poisoning and food intoxication:

The main difference between food poisoning and food intoxication lies in the cause and the symptoms. Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food containing bacteria or other pathogens, and it results in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. On the other hand, food intoxication occurs when bacteria grow in food and produce toxins that cause illness, with symptoms including diplopia, weakness, respiratory failure, and numbness.