What is Food Intoxication and How to Avoid It

Eating Out on Vacation

This week, we’re broadcasting live from the Holiday Inn Express in Panama City Beach, FL, and let me tell you—it’s absolutely gorgeous! The food and drinks have been amazing, too. Honestly, vacation is about the only time my family eats out regularly. My husband and I cook almost every night, and aside from the occasional pizza or Chinese takeout, we almost always eat at home.

It’s partly about saving money, but mostly because my husband has Celiac disease and can’t eat gluten. Even the smallest crumb can make him really sick, so cooking at home is just safer. Plus, we try to eat healthy, and making our own meals means we know exactly what’s going into them.

We Always Try to Eat Local

When we’re on vacation, we make an effort to eat local. Seafood spots are usually a safe bet because shrimp boils and fresh catches have a low risk of gluten exposure. Still, finding places that cater to his needs takes a lot of research. I don’t just scan menus, I dig into reviews to see if other people with Celiac have had good experiences.

Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash

Passing of Brett Gardner's Teenage Son

Earlier this week, I read about the heartbreaking loss of former Yankees player Brett Gardner’s 14-year-old son while on vacation in Costa Rica. As a mom, I can’t even imagine heading off for a family getaway and coming home without my child. It’s devastating.

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What is Food Intoxication?

The cause of death was confirmed today: food intoxication. I didn't know what that was, so I looked it up. The USDA defines it as food poisoning caused by toxins released by bacteria, not the bacteria themselves. A common example is botulism, which happens because of toxins—not the bacteria that produce them.

Foodborne intoxication, more commonly known as food poisoning, is caused by eating food that contains toxins that are released by pathogens; the pathogens themselves do not cause illness. A common example of foodborne intoxication is botulism – this illness is caused by botulinum toxins, not the bacteria that produce it. -USDA

Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy on Unsplash

What Causes Food Poisoning?

Food poisoning can come from a variety of sources, including:

Bacteria
Viruses
Parasites
Toxins
Molds that produce toxins

How to Protect Yourself

My family loves those hidden-gem restaurants that locals swear by. But while no place is 100% risk-free, you can take steps to protect yourself. One of the simplest things? Google a restaurant’s health department records before you go. If they’ve had major violations, that’s a red flag.

Eating out in another country can be even trickier, especially if there are language barriers or different food safety regulations. In those cases, reviews become even more important.

A few more ways to stay safe:

Stick to foods cooked to a safe temperature—maybe skip the sushi or raw oysters if you’re worried.
Always wash your hands before eating. Sometimes, it’s not the food but the germs on your hands that make you sick.
Refrigerate leftovers ASAP and reheat them thoroughly. If food looks or smells off, just toss it.

Photo by Tamas Pap on Unsplash

Food Poisoning Symptoms

If you do get food poisoning, stay hydrated and monitor your symptoms. Seek medical help if you experience:

Persistent vomiting and dehydration
Blood, pus or black, tar in your stool
Severe stomach pain
A fever over 102°F (38.9°C), or any fever in kids under 2

For most people, food poisoning is miserable but temporary. You’ll hate life for a bit, but you’ll get through it. For some, like the Gardners, it can be deadly. If you get stick, it's important to stay vigilant. Stay safe and eat well, wherever your travels take you.