Food-borne Illness is when contaminated food or water is consumed. Contamination can occur from food, the environment, or from the food handler either directly or indirectly. Food-borne illness can be devastating to the person affected and to the establishment implicated. It can cost thousands of dollars and may even result in death.

DID YOU KNOW:

Four million Canadians suffer from food-borne illness and receive medical attention EACH YEAR! (Health Canada)

A High Price To Pay

The cost of a food-borne illness occurring at an establishment is a high price to pay. Here are just a few negative outcomes that result in food-borne illnesses:

• Negative media exposure
• Possible lawsuits and legal fees
• Insurance premiums
• Staff missing work
• Cost of re-training staff
• Decrease in customer sales
• Bad reputation
• Decrease staff morale

Food-borne illness do not usually get reported because it resolves itself within a few days. However, there are members of our population that can be severely affected by food-borne illnesses, including young children, pregnant women, seniors and individuals with compromised/weakened immune systems. For some susceptible people, a food-borne illness may result in death.