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Deaths and hospitalizations - The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that there are 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths worldwide annually.

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Illnesses - One in six Americans die every year from foodborne illnesses.

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How do they start? -

Outbreaks happen when foods carry dangerous germs or toxins, such as salmonella, the bacteria that causes the the most hospitalizations.

The symptoms associated with salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and they usually appear 12 to 72 hours after infection. If treated, those affected by it recover within a week.

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PCA peanut butter (2009) - In 2009, 714 people fell ill and nine died from a salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter produced by the Peanut Corporation of America. The now-bankrupted company had to recall 3,600 peanut butter products.

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Cargill ground turkey (2011) - In 2011, Cargill, Incorporated had to recall 36 million lbs of ground turkey after one person died, and another 136 became ill across the 34 states of the US that were suspected of having been infected by an antibiotic-resistant strain of salmonella associated with the company's product.

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Mexican cucumbers (2015) - Cucumber imported from Mexico was suspected of infecting 907 people in 40 states, resulting in six deaths and about 200 hospitalizations.

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E. coli outbreaks - Escherichia coli is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals, but infections by certain strains can cause people to become ill. Symptoms include diarrhea, bloody stool, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. What causes people to get sick is actually a toxin produced by the bacteria, so antibiotics are ineffective in treating the infection.

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Jack in the Box hamburgers (1993) - Contaminated hamburger meat is suspected to have killed four people in California and Washington, along with causing hundreds of hospitalizations. The fast-food chain almost closed because of the generalized panic that ensued. The outbreak prompted the government to tighten regulations associated with food handling.

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Dole baby spinach (2006) - The FDA linked E. coli infections to uncooked spinach in 26 states in September. During the outbreak, three people died, while 31 others suffered kidney failure and 205 reported having diarrhea and dehydration. Dole recalled its bagged baby spinach products. The contamination could have originated in a cattle ranch that leased land to a spinach farmer.

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Taco Bell fast food (2006) - That same year, another E. coli outbreak that affected more than 70 people was associated with the fast-food chain. The infection led to more than 50 hospitalizations, 31 of which involved kidney failure. The outbreak is believed to have been due to contaminated lettuce from California. The outbreak led to a stronger regulation of lettuce.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill fast food (2015) - The popular fast-food chain experienced an E. coli outbreak between October and November, which resulted in 22 hospitalizations and no deaths. No cause for the outbreak has been confirmed.

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Ready-to-eat foods (2018) - In 2018, several food manufacturers have recalled products from various supermarkets, including Walmart, Trader Joe's, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Whole Foods, and 7-Eleven. The tainted ingredients were thought to have stemmed from McCain Foods, and may contained contamination from listeria and salmonella bacteria.

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Romaine lettuce (2018) - The outbreak started in March 2018. It killed a person in California, caused numerous hospitalizations, and expanded to 25 states. Authorities linked the outbreak to romaine lettuce produced in the Yuma region of Arizona, which is responsible for most romaine lettuce produced in the country during the winter months.

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Botulism outbreaks -

This illness is caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing or speaking, blurry vision, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

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Trini & Carmen’s hot sauce (1977) - This outbreak started in Pontiac, MI, after customers of Trini and Carmen's Restaurant began reporting symptoms of food poisoning in March. Investigators linked the outbreak to the restaurant's hot sauce made from home-canned jalapeño peppers. The restaurant was closed within days. No deaths were reported and 58 people became ill.

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Home-canned potatoes (2015) - The worst outbreak of botulism in recent US history took place in Fairfield County, OH, when one person died from respiratory failure and 29 others got sick. The outbreak was linked to improperly home-canned potatoes that were used in a potato salad made for a church potluck picnic.

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Listeria outbreaks -

Listeria infection is particularly worrisome for pregnant women, as they are 10 times more likely to contract it. Symptoms include headaches, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, fatigue, muscle aches, and fever.

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Jalisco Products cheese (1985) - The listeria outbreak lasted for seven months and killed 10 newborns and 18 adults, affecting a total of 42 in Los Angeles country. 20 women also miscarried after contracting the infection.

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Hot dogs (1998-1999) - Contaminated hot dogs caused 100 people across 24 states to become ill, causing 14 adult deaths and four women to miscarry. The contamination started at Bil Mar Foods’ manufacturing plant in Zeeland, MI, and affected at least nine brands, including Sara Lee Deli Meat.

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Pilgrim’s Pride turkey meat (2002) - The brand's sliced deli meat was deemed the cause of this outbreak that killed seven adults and caused three stillbirths across Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Michigan. The company had to recall more than 27 million lbs of the product.

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Cantaloupes (2011) - Authorities attributed 33 deaths to tainted cantaloupes, which investigators said started at Jensen Farms’ packing facility near Holly, CO. A total of 147 people became infected during the outbreak.

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Frozen shakes (2025) - On February 21, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a listeria outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes had sickened at least 38 people across 21 states, resulting in 37 hospitalizations and 11 deaths.
The FDA reported that the affected products included certain Sysco Imperial and Lyons ReadyCare shakes, which were distributed to food service providers, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

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Hepatitis A from food contamination -

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Its spread occurs primarily when food and/or water becomes contaminated with feces from an infected person. Symptoms of the illness includes fever, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, joint pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

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Frozen strawberries (1997) - An outbreak in Calhoun County, MI, caused 153 people to become infected. The tainted fruit was used in a federal school lunch program and distributed across six states.

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Chi-Chi’s salsa and chili con queso (2003) -

The outbreak, which killed three people and affected 555 total, was traced to green onions imported from Mexico and used to make salsa and chili con queso at Chi-Chi’s restaurant in Monaca, PA.

See also: What happens to your body if you eat eggs every day?

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