Food poisoning can happen even in toddlers and young children. But how can you protect kids from food poisoning in the first place and how can you tell whether they have it?
Here are the signs of food poisoning in kids, plus ways to treat and prevent it.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning can happen when your child gets sick from eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages. Some foods and drinks can be contaminated with harmful germs like Salmonella, E. coli O157, Listeria, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, or other foodborne germs.
What are the symptoms of food poisoning in children?
Common symptoms of food poisoning include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever, which can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Severe symptoms include:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Diarrhea that lasts more than three days
- High fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Vomiting so often that the child cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration (not peeing much, having a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up).
If your child is under the age of 5 and displays any food poisoning symptoms, call a doctor immediately.
Why are young kids at higher risk of food poisoning?
Children under the age of 5 are more likely to get very sick from food poisoning because their immune systems are still developing, making it harder for their bodies to fight off germs.
For example, children younger than 5 are three times more likely than other groups of people to be hospitalized with a Salmonella infection. Also, 1 in every 7 children younger than 5 with an E. coli O157 infection develops a life-threatening kind of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome.
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What foods should I avoid giving young kids?
Some foods are more likely to contain germs that cause food poisoning. Learn about some foods to avoid and safer choices to serve young children:
| Foods to Avoid |
| |
| Raw or undercooked poultry or meat. | Poultry or meat that has been cooked to a safe internal temperature. Always use a food thermometer to check the temperature. | |
| Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables. | Cooked fruits and vegetables or washed fresh fruits and vegetables. | |
| Unpasteurized juice or cider. | Pasteurized juice/cider or unpasteurized juice/cider that has been brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute before serving. | |
| Unpasteurized milk and dairy products made from unpasteurized milk (like ice cream or soft cheese). | Pasteurized milk and dairy products made from pasteurized milk. | |
| Raw or undercooked (runny) eggs and foods that contain raw or undercooked eggs. | Eggs cooked until the yolks and whites are firm or egg dishes cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. | |
| Raw dough or raw batter made with uncooked flour. | Food made with flour that is fully cooked or made with heat-treated flour, or dough products labeled “edible” or “safe to eat raw.” |
Download a complete list of riskier and safer food choices for children under age 5.
How can I prevent food poisoning at home?
Germs that cause food poisoning can survive in many places and spread around your kitchen. Follow these four simple steps at home to help protect you and your loved ones from food poisoning:
1. Clean. Wash your hands and surfaces often, including utensils, cutting boards, and countertops.
2. Separate. Don’t cross-contaminate when storing and preparing food by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs separate from foods that are ready to eat.
3. Cook. Cook foods to a safe internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to the right temperature. Carefully follow recommended cooking and standing times when microwaving food. Use a food thermometer to make sure reheated food reaches 165 degrees F.
4. Chill. Refrigerate perishable food within two hours (or one hour if it’s a hot day and temperatures are above 90 degrees F) because germs can multiply quickly when perishable food is kept out at a temperature between 40 and 140 degrees F.
How can I stay up-to-date on food recalls and outbreaks?
Visit the CDC Foodborne Outbreaks website, where you can find a list of recent food recalls and current outbreaks. Follow the CDC on Facebook and X (Twitter) for posts about current CDC outbreaks.
What else do I need to know?
Pets and other healthy animals, including those at petting zoos, farms, fairs, and even schools and day cares, can carry germs that cause food poisoning. Visit the CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People website for tips to help your child stay safe when it comes to our feathery, furry and scaly friends.
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