Incidence of Food Poisoning
- It’s estimated that over 5 million people in Australia will suffer from food poisoning each year. This is approximately 25% of the population.
- There’s a similar incidence in NZ, or perhaps higher, due to problems with Campylobacter bacteria.
- Symptoms will vary from very mild (nausea, stomach upset, loose stools) through to vomiting, diarrhoea, hospitalization, severe liver and kidney damage and in extreme cases, death.
- It has been estimated that there will be approximately 18,000 food related hospitalisations and approximately 160 deaths in Australia each year.
- It’s not possible to determine the actual number as not all cases are reported or identified.
- All evidence suggests that the incidence of food poisoning is increasing.
- Approximately 2/3 of all reported food poisoning outbreaks can be traced back to a source that is either an eating establishment or catering operation.
