| Date Posted |
Ref | Pathogen or Cause of Illness |
Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any) |
Total Case Count |
Status |
| 2/20/
2024 |
1215 | E. coli O157:H7 |
Raw cheddar cheese |
See Advisory |
Active |
| 1/24/
2024 |
1214 | Listeria monocytogenes |
Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese |
See Advisory |
Active |
| 11/8/
2023 |
1198 | Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels |
Apple Cinnamon Puree |
See Advisory |
Active |
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.
Pursuit to a 16-page plea agreement that leaves little to the imagination, a former raw milk cheese manufacturer and the company he owned and managed pleaded guilty today to charges related to cheese that was linked to a deadly outbreak of listeriosis.
Johannes Vulto and his company, Vulto Creamery LLC, are scheduled for sentencing on July 9 at the U.S. Courthouse in Syracuse, NY. The maximum sentence for the single misdemeanor count is one year imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and one year of supervised release plus a 5-year term of court supervision.
The plea agreement requires a payment of $100,000 from Vulto and a one-year supervised release to begin after any imprisonment.
In early March 2017, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes(Listeria) infections. Investigators used epidemiologic evidence and laboratory results from the PulseNet system to identify case patients who were part of the outbreak. Eight people infected with outbreak strain of Listeria were reported from four states, New York, Connecticut, Vermont and Florida. The Florida case had traveled to New York in the month before illness onset. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) performed on clinical isolates from all 8 case-patients showed that the isolates were closely related genetically, providing strong support that illnesses were linked to a common source.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for 2024, aimed at curtailing food poisoning outbreaks, specifically those caused by norovirus and salmonella. This initiative draws together 34 public organizations, including central administrative agencies and local governments, in a unified effort to enhance food safety management and outbreak prevention measures.
The risk of Salmonella Enteritidis from eggs in New Zealand remains low despite an outbreak, according to the country’s food safety agency.
The original risk profile for Salmonella in and on chicken eggs in New Zealand was published in 2004, with updates in 2011 and 2016. Human illness attributed to New Zealand-grown poultry from Salmonella Enteritidis was not considered. The 2023 update looked at any potential change in the risk of salmonellosis from eggs produced in New Zealand following an outbreak.
New Zealand Food Safety said that while the risk associated with Salmonella Enteritidis is no longer negligible, it is still low. The risk from other Salmonella serotypes also remains low.
The Alameda County Public Health Department, Los Angeles Department of Public Health, and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) investigated an outbreak of shigellosis associated with a Kaiser Permanente union delegate conference held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles from August 21 to August 24, 2023. The event included 269 attendees from across California. This outbreak was assigned the code “OB20233135.”
An outbreak of Salmonella was investigated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) in the summer of 2023. This outbreak was assigned the outbreak code IL2023-1678. An increase in the number of Salmonella cases was identified in September 2023, and the only location found to be common to these early cases was Carniceria Guanajuato at 3140 N. California Ave. in Chicago, Illinois, a grocery store chain and taqueria. Only this location was linked to the outbreak.
What is already known about this topic?
A 2020 outbreak of Salmonella infections was found to be associated with melons after conclusion of harvesting, when melons were no longer likely to be on the market.
What is added by this report?
In 2022, whole genome sequencing (WGS)–based Salmonella surveillance, historical melon farm environmental sampling results, and patient interviews were used to rapidly link a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak to contaminated cantaloupes.
What are the implications for public health practice?
WGS-based surveillance, combined with rapid collection of epidemiologic data by state and local agencies, can be used to reduce the time to outbreak detection and response.
FoodWorld 