A foodborne intoxication occurs when:

A foodborne intoxication occurs when a toxin or poison produced by bacteria enters the body and leads to illness. This type of foodborne illness is distinct from other types of infections because it does not necessarily require the presence of live bacteria in the food at the time of ingestion. Instead, the harmful effects are caused by the toxins that have been produced by the bacteria, which may have proliferated in the food before it was consumed.

For instance, certain bacteria can generate toxins in food as they grow, and if this contaminated food is ingested, the toxins can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea without the necessity of the bacteria themselves being present in the digestive system. By understanding that foodborne intoxication is specifically related to these toxins, food safety practices can be better focused on preventing the growth of bacteria and the subsequent production of harmful substances, which is crucial for maintaining food safety and public health.