Final answer:
Food poisoning is primarily caused by consuming contaminated food with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins, including those produced by microorganisms like bacteria, naturally occurring in some plants and fungi or environmental contaminants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Food poisoning is almost always caused by eating food that contains pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. These harmful agents can originate from a variety of places; for example, bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli may be found in undercooked meat and unwashed produce, while toxins like those produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria can result in botulism.
Besides microorganisms, naturally occurring toxins in certain plants and fungi, such as poisonous mushrooms, and environmental contaminants like pesticides can also cause food poisoning.
Preventing food poisoning involves proper food handling, such as cooking meat thoroughly, washing fruits and vegetables, and avoiding cross-contamination of food items. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a significant number of illnesses and hospitalizations every year due to foodborne diseases, underlying the importance of food safety.