VanillaGoods Food Safety Center
Foodborne Illness Library
Germs that commonly cause food poisoning in the U.S., summarized from the CDC's table of symptoms, when they usually start and common sources. Symptoms vary from person to person; this page cannot tell you which germ is making you sick.
Educational summary of CDC and FDA information. Not medically reviewed. See when to get help.
Salmonella
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Diarrhea (can be bloody), fever, stomach cramps, vomiting.
- When symptoms usually start
- 6 hours to 6 days
- Common sources
- Raw or undercooked chicken, turkey and other meats; eggs; unpasteurized (raw) milk and juice; raw fruits and vegetables; also many animals, including backyard poultry, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals.
E. coli (Shiga toxin-producing)
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting. CDC notes that around 5–10% of people diagnosed develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening problem.
- When symptoms usually start
- 3 to 4 days
- Common sources
- Raw or undercooked ground beef, raw (unpasteurized) milk and juice, raw vegetables (such as lettuce), raw sprouts and contaminated water.
Listeria (invasive illness)
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Fever and flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, fatigue), headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. During pregnancy, infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn; CDC advises calling the doctor right away if you have a fever and feel more tired and achy than usual.
- When symptoms usually start
- 2 weeks
- Common sources
- Queso fresco and other soft cheeses, raw sprouts, melons, hot dogs, pâtés, deli meats, smoked fish and raw (unpasteurized) milk.
When to get help · Storage times · Melon buying guide · Listeria (Encyclopedia)
Campylobacter
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Diarrhea (often bloody), fever, stomach cramps.
- When symptoms usually start
- 2 to 5 days
- Common sources
- Raw or undercooked poultry, raw (unpasteurized) milk, contaminated water, pets (including cats and dogs).
Norovirus
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain; fever, headache and body aches are also possible.
- When symptoms usually start
- 12 to 48 hours
- Common sources
- Leafy greens, fresh fruits, shellfish (such as raw oysters), contaminated water, infected people, and touching surfaces that have the virus on them.
Clostridium perfringens
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Diarrhea and stomach cramps that last less than 24 hours; vomiting and fever are not common.
- When symptoms usually start
- 6 to 24 hours
- Common sources
- Meat, poultry, gravies and other foods cooked in large batches and held at an unsafe temperature.
Staphylococcus aureus (staph food poisoning)
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.
- When symptoms usually start
- 30 minutes to 8 hours
- Common sources
- Foods that are not cooked after handling, such as sliced meats, puddings, pastries and sandwiches.
Vibrio
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, chills.
- When symptoms usually start
- Within 24 hours
- Common sources
- Raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.
Cyclospora
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue.
- When symptoms usually start
- About 1 week
- Common sources
- Raw fruits or vegetables and herbs.
Clostridium botulinum (botulism)
- Symptoms (CDC)
- Difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and difficulty moving the eyes; symptoms start in the head and move down as the illness gets worse. Botulism is a medical emergency.
- When symptoms usually start
- 18 to 36 hours
- Common sources
- Improperly canned or fermented foods and homemade alcohol (pruno).
Source: CDC, Food Poisoning Symptoms, "Symptoms by germ" (page dated Nov 24, 2025).
Sources
- CDC: Food Poisoning Symptoms (source last reviewed Nov 24, 2025)