Food poisoning is an unfortunate and unforeseen incident. It is mainly by 2 reasons.
1] Contamination of the food due to microbial organisms ,and 
2] Contamination of the food due to Chemical toxic substances.
Symptoms of food poisoning due to microbial contamination are vomiting, diarrhea and stomach ache in general. This poisoning is caused due to consumption of stale food¸ unhygienic preparation of food and unsanitary storage of food.
Symptoms of food poisoning due to Chemical toxic substances are fever, headache, and in specific toxic cases, paralysis, convulsions, drowsiness, dehydration, etc.

Causes of Food Poisoning –

Microbial infection –

These are bacteria’s which multiply on the media of food when they get favorable environment ,like warm and humid atmosphere help there rapid growth. Food poisoning occurs when such contaminated food is consumed by humans .
Eg.- E – Coli ¸ Coli form¸ Salmonella¸ Shegela¸ Staphylococcus .

Chemical contamination –

Contamination of various chemicals like Urea, pesticides and fertilizers etc.
Improper enameling of copper Utensils also causes poisoning.
Toxic Metals also contaminate food ¸ during processing of Food.

Precautions to be taken to avoid Food Poisoning :

1. Consume food¸ which is freshly cooked and eat it when it is hot.
   
2. Do not keep cooked food for longer period at room temperature. Utensils used to cook the food must be properly enameled.
   
3. Keep the food safe from rat, mice, flies & dirt.
   
4. Before handling the Food wash hands.
   
5. Prohibit the following persons from handling the food.
   
   I. Persons having diarrhoea or dysentry.
   ii. Persons suffering from cough, cold etc.
   iii. Persons having throat infection, Scratches on hand.
   

1. Immediately give information to nearest primary health centre and also send copy to District Medical Officer or Jt. Director Health Services if you notice food posioning.
   
   
2. Keep a portion of such food as sample for analysis.
   
   
3. Give exact information of events & details of persons gathered for function.