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An encyclopedia entry on a range of diseases and ill-health conditions that can be transmitted by food as a result of contamination is presented. The three classification such as physical contamination, chemical contamination and biological contamination are explained. The acute and chronic ill-health symptoms experienced by people exposed to the contamination are listed.

A definition of the term "shigella" is presented. It refers to a group of Gram-negative non-sporing bacteria found in human and animal intestines. The bacteria is responsible for bacillary dysentery or shigellosis. The symptoms of shigellosis include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps.

An encyclopedia entry for "Listeria monocytogenes" is presented. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium found in most farm animals, poultry and domestic pets. It is known to cause the disease called Listeriosis. To prevent listerial growth, people are advised to thoroughly reheat food, consumer cook-chill products within the use by date and wash salad foods.

An encyclopedia entry for "Campylobacter" is presented. The pathogen is commonly found in poultry meat. Campylobacter infects the intestinal tracts and sometimes the bloodstream, causing gastro-enteritis. A neurological illness called Guillain Barre Syndrome can also result from Campylobacter infection. Those who eat undercooked chicken are at high risk of being infected by Campylobacter.

A definition of the term "Malicious tampering with food" is presented. It refers to the intentional contamination or insertion of foreign bodies in food.

A definition of the term "incubation period" is presented. It refers to the period of time in between consumption of a contaminated food and the appearance of the first symptoms of illness. The incubation period can range from hours to days depending on the agent and the quantity of contaminated food consumed.

An encyclopedia entry for "food-borne infection" is presented. According to the World Health Organisation, food-borne infection are illnesses caused by agents that enter the body through the ingestion of food. This kind of diseases are either infections or toxic in nature.

An encyclopedia entry for the term "Cestoda" is presented. Commonly known as tapeworm, a cestoda typically has a head with four suckers, and sometimes a ring of hooklets. Eggs of cestoda could be transferred to humans through meat consumption. These eggs could develop in human gut into adult tapeworms. From food safety viewpoint, the most important tapeworms are Taenia saginata, Taenia solium and Taenia multiceps.