Discover 24 causes of food poisoning, such as salmonella. Learn about common symptoms, get tips for treatment or prevention, and much more. Overview Food poisoning, a type of foodborne illness, is a sickness people get from something they ate or drank. The causes are germs or other harmful things in the food or drink. Symptoms of food poisoning often include upset stomach, loose stools and vomiting. Symptoms most often start within hours or days of eating the food. Food poisoning symptoms include diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Discover the key symptoms, common causes, and effective treatments for food poisoning. Learn essential prevention tips to stay safe and protect your health.