Some consumers are more susceptible to foodborne illness and may experience more severe symptoms. This group of consumers includes young children, older adults, pregnant women, and persons with illnesses that affect the immune system. This page has information on reducing foodborne illness in at-risk populations and on microorganisms that are more likely to affect at-risk groups.

General 

• People at Higher Risk for Food Poisoning video (CDC, YouTube)
• People at Increased Risk of Food Poisoning (CDC)
• (Spanish - Personas con mayor riesgo de presentar intoxicación alimentaria) (CDC)

Young Children

• "Don't Give Kids a Tummy Ache" (English) (UCANR Pub 21586)
• "¡No deje que los alimentos enfermen a sus niños!" (Spanish) (UCANR Pub 21586s) Este programa de entrenamiento acerca de la seguridad alimenticia, diseñado para padres y personas que cuidan a niños pequeños, presenta los principios básicos sobre cómo evitar la intoxicación por alimentos. Lo hace en una presentación de entre 45 y 60 minutos.
• Children and Foodborne Illness (Pew Health Group/American Academy of Pediatrics) (PDF 115 KB)
• Food Safety - A Need-to-Know Guide for Those at Risk (2020, USDA) (PDF 6.8 MB) For Older Adults, Children under 5 years, Pregnant Women, Transplant Recipients, Cancer and Diabetes Patients, People with Autoimmune Disease and HIV/AIDS. 
• People at Risk: Children under 5 (Foodsafety.gov) (as Infographic PDF 1.1 MB)
• Food Safety Tips for Infant Feeding (UCANR Pub 8662, June 2019) (PDF 123 KB)
• Keeping Babies and Toddlers Safe from Foodborne Illness (FightBac.org)

Individuals with Immune Deficiencies

• Food Safety - A Need-to-Know Guide for Those at Risk (2020, USDA) (PDF 6.8 MB) For Older Adults, Children under 5 years, Pregnant Women, Transplant Recipients, Cancer and Diabetes Patients, People with Autoimmune Disease and HIV/AIDS. 
• Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases (2020, FDA) (PDF 2.3 MB) (In Spanish PDF 2.3 MB)
• People at Risk: Those with Weakened Immune Systems For those living with cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, HIV or AIDS, autoimmune diseases, organ transplants, or a need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy. (Foodsafety.gov) (as Infographic PDF 331 KB)

Older Adults

• Food Safety - A Need-to-Know Guide for Those at Risk (2020, USDA) (PDF 6.8 MB) For Older Adults, Children under 5 years, Pregnant Women, Transplant Recipients, Cancer and Diabetes Patients, People with Autoimmune Disease and HIV/AIDS. 
• Food Safety for Older Adults and People with Cancer, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Organ Transplants, and Autoimmune Diseases (2020, FDA) (PDF 2.3 MB) (In Spanish PDF 2.3 MB)
• People at Risk: Older Adults (Foodsafety.gov) (Infographic: Baby Boomers and Food Safety, PDF 2.7 MB)
• Older Adults and Food Safety (USDA)
• To Your Health! Food Safety for Seniors (FDA, PDF English 852 KB) (in Spanish PDF 669 KB)

Pregnant Women & Infants

• Advice about Eating Fish (FDA) (Infographic: Advice about Eating Fish, PDF 741 KB) For Those Who Might Become or Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding and Children Ages 1 - 11 Years
• Food Safety - A Need-to-Know Guide for Those at Risk (2020, USDA) (PDF 6.8 MB) For Older Adults, Children under 5 years, Pregnant Women, Transplant Recipients, Cancer and Diabetes Patients, People with Autoimmune Disease and HIV/AIDS. 
• Food Safety for Pregnant Women (FDA)
• Food Safety Tips for Infant Feeding (UCANR Pub 8662, June 2019) (PDF 123 KB)
• People at Risk: Pregnant Women (Foodsafety.gov) (Infographic: Food Safety for Baby and Me, PDF 1.1 MB)
• Toxoplasmosis: An Important Message for Cat Owners (CDC, PDF 1.6 MB)

References

• Smith, J.L. 1997. Long-term consequences of foodborne toxoplasmosis: Effects on the unborn, the immunocompromised, the elderly, and the immunocompetent. J. Food Prot. 60:1595-1611.
• Smith, J.L. 1998. Foodborne illness in the elderly. J. Food Prot. 61:1229-1239.
• Smith, J.L. 1999. Foodborne infections during pregnancy. J. Food Prot. 62:818-829.
• Smith, J.L. and P.M. Fratamico. 2000. Long term consequences of foodborne disease. In B.M. Lund, T.C. Baird-Parker, G.W. Gould (eds.) The microbiological safety and quality of food, pp. 1545-1562.