People in society are affected differently with food-borne diseases. Some are more vulnerable than others.

The immune system is the primary defender of the body by responding to foreign invasions of the body and playing an important role in fighting diseases and infections. In the bodies of healthy people, infections are quickly detected but, when it comes to people with weak immune systems, the ability to fight infections is greatly reduced.  

The immune system of a pregnant woman is one element that is affected with the changes that come with being pregnant. Exposing an expectant woman to food-borne diseases can be devastating. Toxic bacteria can pass through the placenta into the womb and in circumstances where harmful bacteria are present, the unborn baby is at danger of contracting food-borne diseases. Food-borne infection during pregnancy is fatal and might result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or sickness.

Young children, by virtue of their age and development, are at higher risk of contracting food-borne diseases. Their under developed immune system means that their bodies are not prepared to fight infections.

As people age and advance in age, their immune system and important body organs become vulnerable to diseases. A weak immune system cannot fight infections and help to rid the body of dangerous infections that result in sickness. As a result, elderly people are at risk of being infected with food-borne bacteria that cause various food-borne diseases.