Foodborne Illness News and Research

RSS

Commonly referred to as food poisoning or foodborne disease, foodborne illnesses (FIs) are gastrointestinal (GI) tract infections that arise with the ingestion of contaminated food. The main culprits are usually microorganisms or chemical agents.

Blue light treatment kills food poisoning bacteria on raw chicken

A low-power blue light could be the key to significantly reducing food poisoning caused by raw chicken in the UK, scientists at the University of Reading have found.

6 Oct 2026

Zero-risk food safety approach may increase waste and costs

These food safety measures and ultra-sensitive tests may drive edible food being thrown away, excessive packaging, and extra costs for consumers.

17 Mar 2026

New AI model eliminates false positives in food testing

Researchers have significantly enhanced an artificial intelligence tool used to rapidly detect bacterial contamination in food by eliminating misclassifications of food debris that looks like bacteria.

10 Feb 2026

Studies uncover two novel, critical strategies for bacterial surface movement

New studies from Arizona State University reveal surprising ways bacteria can move without their flagella - the slender, whip-like propellers that usually drive them forward.

8 Nov 2025

New dual-target vaccine shows promise against typhoid and Salmonella

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) have completed a successful Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel vaccine designed to protect against both typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella--two major causes of illness and death among children in sub-Saharan Africa.

8 Oct 2025

UCLA study links morning sickness to immune system changes in early pregnancy

UCLA researchers have uncovered a link between "morning sickness" symptoms and the body's natural, but complex, inflammatory response to biological and bodily changes during pregnancy.

24 Sep 2025

Electronic nose technology aims to transform food safety

The presence of a strong, unpleasant odor in food is an indication that bacteria has contaminated the food past the point of human consumption. However, oftentimes pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli are difficult to detect.

9 Sep 2025

At CDC, worries mount that agency has taken anti-science turn

Public health and access to lifesaving vaccines are on the line in a high-stakes leadership battle at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3 Sep 2025

New strategies to tackle resistant foodborne pathogens

Innovative approaches in food and beverage analysis are transforming pathogen detection and control, emphasizing the role of natural compounds and sequencing.

19 Aug 2025

Meat hummus lowers microbes and raises nutrition

This study reveals meat-infused hummus offers higher protein, iron, and flavor, making it a nutritious option for athletes and health-conscious consumers.

21 Jul 2025

Silence on E. coli outbreak highlights how Trump team’s changes undermine food safety

Colton George felt sick. The 9-year-old Indiana boy told his parents his stomach hurt. He kept running to the bathroom and felt too ill to finish a basketball game.

28 May 2025

Genomic sequencing-based detection system cuts infections and saves lives

An infectious diseases detection platform developed by University of Pittsburgh scientists working with UPMC infection preventionists proved over a two-year trial that it stops outbreaks, saves lives and cuts costs.

28 Apr 2025

CDC study identifies leading culprits of foodborne illness

Researchers from the CDC and Colorado School of Public Health estimate that seven major pathogens caused 9.9 million foodborne illnesses in the US in 2019. Norovirus led illness and hospitalization counts, while Salmonella caused the most deaths.

25 Mar 2025

Researchers trace 73% of US Salmonella cases to chicken and vegetables

Researchers used genome sequencing and machine learning to trace the top food sources behind Salmonella infections in the US. Chicken and vegetables emerged as the primary culprits, together accounting for up to 73% of human cases with known sources.

23 Mar 2025

Study reveals trends in drug-resistant Campylobacter infections across the U.S.

Campylobacter infections are the most common foodborne illnesses in the U.S., sickening an estimated 1.5 million people each year.

19 Mar 2025

U.S. consumers still unaware of raw milk risks despite bird flu findings

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) located H5N1 bird flu virus in samples of raw, or unpasteurized, milk in tests in four states in April 2024, and bird flu has been detected in commercially sold raw milk, many Americans do not know that consuming raw milk and its products poses greater health risks than consuming pasteurized milk and its products, especially for children.

14 Mar 2025

What’s behind the rise in foodborne illness outbreaks? CDC uncovers key risks and fixes

Bacterial foodborne outbreaks in the U.S. increased while viral outbreaks declined between 2014 and 2022, with environmental contamination rising as a key cause. The study highlights how improved hygiene reduced viral transmission but shows persistent risks from improper food handling and temperatures.

13 Mar 2025

Food safety tips to keep illness at bay

Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the joy can change to misery if food makes you or others ill.

31 Jan 2025

Led by RFK Jr., conservatives embrace raw milk. Regulators say it's dangerous.

In summertime, cows wait under a canopy to be milked at Mark McAfee's farm in Fresno, California. From his Cessna 210 Centurion propeller plane, the 63-year-old can view grazing lands of the dairy company he runs that produces products such as unpasteurized milk and cheese for almost 2,000 stores.

29 Jan 2025

Bacterial toxin may fuel colorectal cancer metastasis

A toxin in the bacteria that's one of the most common causes of foodborne illness accelerates the spread of colorectal tumors to other parts of the body, a study led by UF Health Cancer Center researchers and international collaborators has found.

6 Dec 2024