Eating Well As You Get Older

Frequently Asked Questions

32. What is foodborne illness?

Illnesses you get from contaminated food are called foodborne illnesses, also known as food poisoning. These illnesses may come from eating foods contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites, also called pathogens. Each year, about 76 million people in the United States become ill from eating contaminated foods. Of those, about 5,000 die. (Answer continues on next page.)