Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease) is any illness resulting from the consumption of food. Foodborne illness is commonly called food poisoning, even though the physiological effects of foodborne illness are not always caused by poisons (toxins). True food poisoning occurs when a person ingests a contaminating chemical or a natural toxin, while most cases of foodborne illness are caused by a variety of foodborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, prions or parasites that contaminate food. Such contamination usually arises from improper handling, preparation, or food storage. Good hygiene practices before, during, and after food preparation can reduce the chances of contracting an illness. The action of monitoring food to ensure that it will not cause foodborne illness is known as food safety. Foodborne disease can also be caused by a large variety of toxins that affect the environment. For foodborne illness caused by chemicals, see Food contaminants.Foodborne illness can also be caused by the presence of pesticides or medicines in food, or by unintentionally consuming naturally toxic substances like poisonous mushrooms or reef fish. Some could even come from the skin and nose, like staphylococcus aureus, which could lead to death.

"General Mills Totino's and Jeno's pizza E.coli outbreak is a relatively small outbreak in relationship to others," says food poisoning lawyer Bill Marler. " Therefore, wage loss and medical bills would be a small amount of money to pay for good will in this case."

Food poisoning was likely to blame for the mysterious deaths of 10 people in a village in Magelang, Central Java, the health minister said Friday, ruling out viral infections or an emerging outbreak-prone disease.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, microwaves heat food from the outside in, not from the inside out. That can result in those all too familiar cold spots, which act as small pockets where bacteria can thrive. A number of studies have linked this phenomenon to small outbreaks of food poisoning.

Over 400 people and nearly 100 have been hospitalized due to salmonella poisoning from peanut butter! ConAgra foods, maker of Peter Pan peanut butter and Great Value brand peanut butter, is facing many lawsuits and expects thousands more from people who have eaten Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter that is contaminated with salmonella.

Heather Gehlert: How safe is your child's school cafeteria? Congress requires twice-yearly health inspections of school cafeterias to help prevent outbreaks of food poisoning, but recent data from the Dept. of Agriculture shows that this isn't always happening.