Contributing Factor Definitions

For Public Health

At a glance

Review technical definitions for the 30 contributing factors for foodborne illness outbreaks. Contributing factors are the practices and factors that lead to outbreaks.

Three types of contributing factors: contamination, proliferation, and survival.

Three types

Explore the definitions for the three types of contributing factors: contamination, proliferation, and survival. (For all 30 definitions in one file, view our printable list.)

Food worker standing at a counter with food on it.
Contamination Contributing Factors
Review definitions for contamination contributing factors to outbreaks.
Plate of sliced deli meat on a counter with a clock in the background.
Proliferation Contributing Factors
Review definitions for proliferation contributing factors to outbreaks.
Hamburger patty on a grill with a thermometer in the meat.
Survival Contributing Factors
Review definitions for survival contributing factors to outbreaks.

More information

CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and health departments revised these definitions to show how foodborne illness outbreaks evolve.

Participants in our National Environmental Assessment Reporting System started using the new definitions on January 1, 2022, for outbreaks occurring in 2022 or later.

Learn more about contributing factors.

Print
Content Source:
National Center for Environmental Health