Food poisoning (sometimes referred to as a Foodborne illness) is most often caused by eating or drinking food which has become contaminated with harmful bacteria or viruses. It can also be acquired through drinking contaminated water, contact with animals (e.g. at a petting zoo) and person-to-person spread.
Any kind of food can cause food poisoning. Most people get better within a few days, however some people may experience more severe symptoms.
We have a strategy for reducing foodborne illness in Scotland. We work closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and partners such as Public Health Scotland (PHS) to target a reduction in the bacteria and viruses which cause the highest number of food poisoning cases.
