Category Archives: Food Illness

FSIS USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Office of
Public Health Science, Applied Epidemiology Staff, coordinates the FSIS response to
foodborne illness outbreaks that may involve FSIS-regulated products. This includes outbreaks that involve four foodborne pathogens that most frequently contaminate FSIS-regulated products: Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter.

A foodborne outbreak occurs when two or more persons experience a similar illness after ingestion of a common food, and epidemiologic analysis implicates the
food as the source of the illness. FSIS may investigate illnesses associated with other, less
common, foodborne pathogens (e.g., Clostridium botulinum) if they are potentially associated with FSIS-regulated products. FSIS collects and evaluates epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback information to determine if there is an association between an FSIS-regulated product and human illnesses. Epidemiologic information can include details like which foods ill people ate, where they purchased these foods, and where they live. Laboratory information can include comparing bacteria from FSIS samples and ill people to see if they are genetically similar or have similar characteristics. Traceback activities may include determining the location where the product was sold (e.g., grocery store, deli counter, or restaurant) or the source of a product (e.g., the federally inspected slaughter or processing facility). Depending on the evidence collected during an investigation, FSIS may have enough detailed exposure and product information to take one or more actions to prevent additional illnesses. These actions may include requesting that a company remove product from commerce and FSIS issuing a press release announcing that a firm is recalling meat, poultry, or egg products linked to human illnesses or FSIS notifying the public of potential food safety concerns through the issuance of a Public Health Alert (PHA).
This report summarizes outbreaks that FSIS investigated from October 1, 2022, to September
30, 2023, Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023). This report also highlights key lessons learned from
outbreak investigations in FY 2023.