Food can cause death in many ways, which can make death determination a challenge.
Mechanisms:
(1) infection
(2) toxin-related (intrinsic to foodstuff, added)
(3) immune
(4) mechanical
(5) metabolic
(6) other
Infectious agents:
(1) bacteria (Vibrio, Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Mycobacteria, etc)
(2) bacterial toxins (botulism)
(3) viruses
(4) parasites
(5) prions
Toxin-related (accidental vs intentional poisoning)
(1) toxic mushrooms
(2) plant-based toxins
(3) toxic seafood
Immune:
(1) anaphylaxis
(2) angioedema
Mechanical issues:
(1) airway obstruction
(2) viscus perforation (sharp bone, other)
(3) bowel obstruction
(4) mixed (pica)
Metabolic:
(1) inherited metabolic disorder
(2) diabetic ketoacidosis
(3) metabolic syndrome and obesity
Other:
(1) drug-food interaction
(2) Boerhaave syndrome
