What term describes illness caused by the activity of bacteria in food?

The term that describes illness caused by the activity of bacteria in food is best represented by the term "food poisoning." Food poisoning can be a result of either intoxication or infection, but in this context, it's more specifically linked to the harmful effects rather than just the presence of pathogens.

Food poisoning refers to illness that occurs as a result of consuming contaminated food, which can include bacterial toxins or pathogenic organisms. When bacteria grow in food and produce toxins, or when the bacteria are ingested and cause illness through their activity in the gastrointestinal tract, the effect is categorized as food poisoning.

Intoxication specifically refers to illnesses caused by preformed toxins, while an infection involves the actual colonization and growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. The term "borne infection" is less commonly used and might create confusion. Therefore, while "borne infection" refers to diseases transmitted through food, it doesn't specifically capture the concept of the illness being caused by bacteria in food, which is why the term "food poisoning" is more precise in this instance.