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Accidentally eating unsafe foods (ingesting questionable foods)

10-minute read

If you think you or your child has swallowed a poison, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

Key facts

  • There are many reasons a food may become unsafe, for example, if it has expired or is mouldy, or is mixed with faeces (poo), dirt, cat litter, bugs or pet food.
  • Avoid eating unsafe foods and keep them away from children.
  • If someone accidentally eats unsafe food, watch for symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
  • Treatment depends on many things, including what the unsafe food was, how much they ate and the health of the person who ate it.
  • See your doctor if you have accidentally eaten unsafe food or call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice.

What are unsafe foods?

There are many reasons a food may become unsafe. This includes when it has expired (past its 'use-by' date) or is mouldy.

Sometimes, food may be contaminated. This means that it is mixed with something that shouldn't be eaten. Examples include human or animal faeces (poo), cat litter, dirt, bugs, snails, slugs or pet food.

Eating unsafe or contaminated food may lead to food poisoning. Food poisoning usually isn't serious and gets better on its own. Most people feel stomach pain or cramps and may have nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. Simple treatments can help with symptoms.

Read more on how to cook and cool food safely.

What should I do if someone eats unsafe foods?

Eating unsafe foods can be dangerous or may not cause serious harm — it depends on many factors. Here are some things to consider:

What happens if you eat expired or mouldy food?

Date marks on packaged foods help you know how long food stays safe to eat. There are 3 main types:

Always check date marks to make sure your food is safe.

Eating expired or mouldy food can lead to health issues. Some moulds make harmful substances called mycotoxins. These can travel more easily through some foods than others depending on:

Soft foods like bread should be thrown away if there's any mould. This is because tiny mould threads can grow deep inside the bread, even if you can't see them.

If you have any signs of food poisoning, use the Symptom checker for advice on when to seek medical attention.

What happens if you eat human or animal faeces (poo)?

Eating human or animal poo can make you sick because it contains harmful germs, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. They can cause stomach pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or other serious illnesses.

You can get sick if you accidentally swallow poo from:

Some diseases spread between people this way. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or touching animals. Good hygiene helps keep you safe from harmful germs.

If you are planning to travel, check the water quality of your destination before leaving Australia.

Read more on what happens when germs infect your gut.

What happens if you eat plants?

While plants, such as fruits and vegetables, are part of a heathy diet, some plants are not safe to eat.

Tips to stay safe when eating plants include:

What happens if you eat wild mushrooms?

Eating wild mushrooms can be dangerous because some are poisonous (toxic). They can be hard to tell apart from safe ones.

Toxic mushrooms can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, confusion, or even serious organ damage or death. Some symptoms start right away, while others take hours.

Here are some tips on what to do if someone eats a wild mushroom:

Never eat wild mushrooms unless an expert confirms they are safe. If you're unsure, don't eat it.

What happens if you eat dirt or other non-food items, such as sand?

Eating things that aren't food, such as dirt, sand, paper, soap or hair, can be dangerous and may cause health problems.

Doing this regularly or in an ongoing way, it might be a sign of a condition called pica.

Dirt and other non-food items may have bacteria or parasites that can make you sick. Eating these can cause diarrhoea, constipation, gut blockages or even damage to your intestines.

Soaps are not made to be eaten, and some may have harmful chemicals.

Eating non-food items can stop your body from getting the vitamins and minerals it needs.

What if my child eats dirt or other non-food items?

If your child eats non-food items, remove them where possible and offer safer alternatives.

See a doctor if you or someone you care for:

Read more on swallowed substances.

What happens if you eat cat litter?

Cat litter can be unsafe as it may contain harmful germs and parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is found in cat poo and can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis in humans. This infection is especially dangerous if you are pregnant. It can lead to stillbirth or severe birth defects.

Everyone should avoid eating cat litter. If you are pregnant, avoid touching cat litter to reduce your risk of infection.

Read more on safety of pets in the family.

What happens if you eat bugs, snails or slugs?

Eating wild insects, snails or slugs can be risky because they might carry harmful parasites or bacteria. Snails and slugs can carry a parasite that can cause a serious illness called eosinophilic meningitis.

Some cultures regularly eat bugs, snails and slugs. These are usually farmed or prepared for use as human food.

Some people may have allergic reactions to eating bugs, snails or slugs. They may also carry dirt or soil from their environment.

Here are some tips for staying safe:

Read more about food allergies.

What happens if you eat pet food?

Eating pet food can be unsafe for humans. Some pet foods, especially raw ones, may have harmful bacteria like Salmonella. This can cause food poisoning, leading to symptoms, such as stomach pain, diarrhoea and fever.

See your doctor if you've accidentally eaten pet food and have symptoms.

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You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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