People who are at higher risk of food poisoning

Anyone can get food poisoning. However, some people are more likely to become very unwell from it.

Although anyone can get food poisoning, some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, which can lead to serious health problems or hospitalisation. This is usually due to a difference in their immune system or because of medicines they are taking.

People in the following groups are more likely to become ill and have severe symptoms from food poisoning.

Age or life stage

Young children, typically children under 5 years old, as the immune system is still developing.
Pregnancy, as the immune system changes during the development of the unborn child.
Older adults, typically people aged 65 and older, as the immune system starts to weaken around this age.

Underlying health conditions

Such as cancer, diabetes, HIV, and liver or kidney disease, all of which can impact the body’s ability to fight infection, including food poisoning.

Medication and treatments

Chemotherapy, which can weaken the immune system.
Immunosuppressants, such as those taken for autoimmune conditions or after an organ transplant, which impact the immune system.
Prescribed medications that reduce the acidity of the stomach, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole.

If someone fits into more than one of these groups, such as being older and having diabetes, the risk of becoming very unwell from food poisoning is higher.

If you or someone you care for falls into a higher risk category, it’s important to continue taking prescribed medicines and make sure to follow recommended food safety advice.

Speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another healthcare professional if you have concerns.

What should I do if I or someone I care for is in a higher risk category?

Everyone should follow the 4Cs when preparing food and follow use-by dates. If you or someone you care for is at higher risk of food poisoning, it is important to be extra careful when preparing food.

mum and daughter washing dishes at a sink

Cleaning

Keep your hands, kitchen surfaces and equipment clean.

Learn more about cleaning

Chilling

Follow correct practice for defrosting and storing food, and check your fridge temperature.

Learn about chilling food properly

Cooking

Make sure food is cooked all the way through.

Learn about cooking food properly

Food stored in separate containers to prevent cross contamination

avoid Cross-contamination

Make sure germs from raw food, such as meat, do not spread to cooked food.

Learn about preventing cross-contamination

Is there any specific food safety advice I should be aware of?

In most circumstances, there are simple safer food swaps you can make so you can still eat a wide range of nutritious foods without restricting your diet.

children aged under 1 should not be given honey, even if it is cooked or baked, because of the risk of infant botulism
honey is safe for children aged 1 and over

pregnancy changes your immune system, so it’s important to protect yourself and your baby from food poisoning
Ready Steady Baby lists foods to avoid during pregnancy
one of the main risks during pregnancy is listeria, which can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth
listeria infection in Scotland is rare, but it’s important to be aware of the risk
find more information on foods linked to listeria

ageing slows down the production of white blood cells that fight infection, increasing the risk of food poisoning
although it varies from person to person, the immune system starts to weaken around age 65 and becomes weaker with age, so it’s important to be aware of higher risk foods and follow food safety advice
if you eat runny or raw eggs, use eggs with the Lion mark or “Laid in Britain” logo. These come from hens vaccinated against salmonella
cold-smoked fish - for example, smoked salmon - and cured fish - for example, gravlax - can carry a higher risk of listeria, as they are not fully cooked, so:
- eat foods by the use-by date
- keep your fridge between 0°C and 5°C
- use a fridge thermometer to check the temperature
safer options include fully cooked smoked fish, including tinned or canned fish, and fish fillets that have been thoroughly cooked

people who have a severely weakened immune system - for example, due to cancer or chemotherapy treatment - and who are on a medically supervised diet should cook all eggs thoroughly, including Lion mark or “Laid in Britain” eggs
there is a risk of listeria from cold-smoked fish - for example, smoked salmon - and cured fish - for example, gravlax - so it's recommended to avoid these and choose safer alternatives, such as:
- fully cooked smoked fish
- tinned or canned smoked fish
- thoroughly cooked fish fillets
if you have any concerns about your diet or food poisoning risk, speak to a healthcare professional

People who are at higher risk of food poisoning

What should I do if I or someone I care for is in a higher risk category?

Cleaning

Chilling

Cooking

avoid Cross-contamination

Is there any specific food safety advice I should be aware of?

Related content

Examining vulnerability to foodborne illness: A comprehensive review of clinically vulnerable groups

Consumer research regarding people at higher risk of food poisoning

SEFARI fellowship: the older population and foodborne illness