Main Entry: food poisoning

Function: noun

1 : either of two acute gastrointestinal disorders caused by bacteria or their toxic products: a : a rapidly developing intoxication marked by nausea, vomiting, prostration, and often severe diarrhea and caused by the presence in food of toxic products produced by bacteria (as some staphylococci) b : a less rapidly developing infection especially with salmonellas that has generally similar symptoms and that results from multiplication of bacteria ingested with contaminated food
2 : a gastrointestinal disturbance occurring after consumption of food that is contaminated with chemical residues (as from sprays) or food (as some fungi) that is inherently unsuitable for human consumption