Current and Past Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks
CDC coordinates investigations during multistate foodborne outbreaks.
A multistate foodborne outbreak happens when two or more people from several states get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink.
The size of a foodborne outbreak can vary based on which germ is in contaminated food, how much food is contaminated, where food is contaminated, where the food is served, and how many people eat it. For example:
Small, local outbreak—A contaminated casserole served at a church supper may cause a small outbreak among church members who know each other.
Statewide or regional outbreak—A contaminated batch of ground beef sold at several locations of a grocery store chain may lead to illnesses in several counties or even in neighboring states.
Multistate outbreak—Contaminated produce from one farm may be shipped to grocery stores nationwide and make hundreds of people sick in many states.