How to Prevent Food Poisoning

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Foodborne illness (sometimes called food poisoning, foodborne disease, or foodborne infection) is common, costly—and preventable. You can get food poisoning after swallowing food that has been contaminated with a variety of germs or toxic substances.

Basic Food Safety

Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill graphic

Following four simple steps—clean, separate, cook, and chill—can help protect you from food poisoning.

Foods Linked to Illness

Learn which foods are associated with food poisoning: raw or undercooked meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, raw or lightly cooked eggs, unpasteurized (raw) milk, and raw shellfish.

Special Events, Seasons, and Holidays

Make food safety a part of your party, holiday, or event plans.

Safe Food and Water in a Disaster

Learn how to keep food and water safe before and after a disaster or emergency.

Additional Topics

Safety tips for common foods showing meat

Page last reviewed: June 13, 2019

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED)