The decade’s 10 biggest food-borne illness outbreaks

Jacque Wilson, CNN
Updated 8:00 AM EDT, Thu November 3, 2011
Tainted cantaloupes have left 29 people dead in what has become the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness since the CDC started keeping track of listeria cases in 1973, according to the agency. Incidence rates of infection actually decreased 23% in the U.S. between 1996 and 2010 but news of a contaminated food product always creates headlines. Here are the 10 most high-profile food-borne illness outbreaks since 2001.
Cantaloupe —
Tainted cantaloupes have left 29 people dead in what has become the deadliest U.S. outbreak of a food-borne illness since the CDC started keeping track of listeria cases in 1973, according to the agency. Incidence rates of infection actually decreased 23% in the U.S. between 1996 and 2010 but news of a contaminated food product always creates headlines. Here are the 10 most high-profile food-borne illness outbreaks since 2001.
Between February and August, the Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. recalled more than 36 million pounds of ground turkey after tests revealed a strain of salmonella. The outbreak killed one person and sickened 111.
Ground turkey —
Between February and August, the Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. recalled more than 36 million pounds of ground turkey after tests revealed a strain of salmonella. The outbreak killed one person and sickened 111.
Thinkstock
In the summer of 2010 more than 1,600 people were reportedly sickened by salmonella found in eggs produced by Hillandale Farms in Iowa, which voluntarily recalled approximately a half-billion eggs in 14 states.
Eggs —
In the summer of 2010 more than 1,600 people were reportedly sickened by salmonella found in eggs produced by Hillandale Farms in Iowa, which voluntarily recalled approximately a half-billion eggs in 14 states.
Photo Illustration/Thinkstock
Authorities shut down a processing plant in Texas in October 2010 after four deaths were tied to listeria-infected celery produced at the site. The Texas Department of State Health Services ordered SanGar Fresh Cut Produce to recall all products shipped from its San Antonio plant.
celery —
Authorities shut down a processing plant in Texas in October 2010 after four deaths were tied to listeria-infected celery produced at the site. The Texas Department of State Health Services ordered SanGar Fresh Cut Produce to recall all products shipped from its San Antonio plant.
Between April and August 2008, 1442 people in 43 states were infected with salmonella from Mexico-grown jalapeno and Serrano peppers. At least 300 people were hospitalized and the infection may have contributed to two deaths, according to the CDC. Walmart stores in four states recalled jars of Serrano peppers as a result.
Peppers —
Between April and August 2008, 1442 people in 43 states were infected with salmonella from Mexico-grown jalapeno and Serrano peppers. At least 300 people were hospitalized and the infection may have contributed to two deaths, according to the CDC. Walmart stores in four states recalled jars of Serrano peppers as a result.
The second-deadliest outbreak this decade occurred between September 2008 and April 2009 when nine people died from salmonella-infected peanut butter. The Peanut Corp. of America had sold the tainted peanut butter in bulk to King Nut, which recalled its products. More than 700 people were infected and 166 were hospitalized.
Peanut butter —
The second-deadliest outbreak this decade occurred between September 2008 and April 2009 when nine people died from salmonella-infected peanut butter. The Peanut Corp. of America had sold the tainted peanut butter in bulk to King Nut, which recalled its products. More than 700 people were infected and 166 were hospitalized.
In the summer of 2006, more than 230 people became infected with E. coli from spinach grown on a single California field on a single day. Unfortunately, the CDC wasn't able to narrow down how that field became contaminated. Investigators did trace the prepackaged spinach back to Natural Selection Foods and baby spinach sold under the Dole brand name. Five people died during the outbreak and 103 were hospitalized.
Spinach —
In the summer of 2006, more than 230 people became infected with E. coli from spinach grown on a single California field on a single day. Unfortunately, the CDC wasn't able to narrow down how that field became contaminated. Investigators did trace the prepackaged spinach back to Natural Selection Foods and baby spinach sold under the Dole brand name. Five people died during the outbreak and 103 were hospitalized.
During 2005 and 2006, four large outbreaks of salmonella infections hit 21 states in the U.S. Tainted tomatoes being served in restaurants were found to the be the cause. Investigators from the CDC determined that the produce was grown on two farms in Virginia.
Tomatoes —
During 2005 and 2006, four large outbreaks of salmonella infections hit 21 states in the U.S. Tainted tomatoes being served in restaurants were found to the be the cause. Investigators from the CDC determined that the produce was grown on two farms in Virginia.
Pre-sliced Roma tomatoes purchased at deli counters in Sheetz Gas Stations infected 429 people -- hospitalizing 129 -- in the summer of 2004. Two other smaller outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada also occurred that summer and were linked back to a tomato-packing house in Florida.
Roma tomatoes —
Pre-sliced Roma tomatoes purchased at deli counters in Sheetz Gas Stations infected 429 people -- hospitalizing 129 -- in the summer of 2004. Two other smaller outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada also occurred that summer and were linked back to a tomato-packing house in Florida.
Listeria was again the cause of the third-deadliest outbreak in the United States in the past decade. An infection of deli meat, specifically sliced turkey, killed eight and infected 54 others in 2002. Three pregnant women also had fetal deaths. Two processing plants recalled 30 million pounds of meat following the outbreak.
Deli meats —
Listeria was again the cause of the third-deadliest outbreak in the United States in the past decade. An infection of deli meat, specifically sliced turkey, killed eight and infected 54 others in 2002. Three pregnant women also had fetal deaths. Two processing plants recalled 30 million pounds of meat following the outbreak.
Interestingly, just over 10 years ago news organizations were running similar headlines about cantaloupe -- except this time it was salmonella that had infected the fruit. Two were killed, nine hospitalized and 50 infected in this outbreak that started in Mexico.
Cantaloupe —
Interestingly, just over 10 years ago news organizations were running similar headlines about cantaloupe -- except this time it was salmonella that had infected the fruit. Two were killed, nine hospitalized and 50 infected in this outbreak that started in Mexico.
The decade's 10 worst food-borne illness outbreaks
CNN  —