What are characteristics of food that makes people sick?

There are several characteristics of food that make people sick. These characteristics include:

1. Spoilage: Spoilage occurs when food is left unrefrigerated for too long, allowing bacteria to grow and multiply. Spoiled food may have an unpleasant odor, taste, or appearance. Eating spoiled food can cause foodborne illness.

2. Contamination: Food can become contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites from various sources, such as contact with raw meat or poultry, unwashed produce, or unsanitary food preparation surfaces. Contaminated food can cause foodborne illness.

3. Allergens: Some people have allergies to certain foods, such as peanuts, shellfish, milk, or eggs. Eating foods that contain allergens can cause an allergic reaction, which can be life-threatening.

4. Additives: Some food additives can cause adverse reactions in certain individuals. For example, some people are sensitive to sulfites, which are used as preservatives in many foods. Additives can cause a range of symptoms, including hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and anaphylaxis.

5. Toxic substances: Some foods contain naturally occurring toxins, such as mushrooms or fugu (blowfish). Eating foods with toxins can cause serious illness or even death.

6. Uncooked or undercooked food: Some foods, such as meat and poultry, must be cooked to a certain internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria. Eating uncooked or undercooked food can increase the risk of foodborne illness.

7. Cross-contamination: Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria or other harmful substances are transferred from one food to another. For example, this can happen when raw meat comes into contact with other foods, such as vegetables, or when a knife used to cut raw meat is not properly cleaned before being used to cut other foods.