Estimates of Foodborne Illness in the United States

CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. Estimating illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths for various types of diseases is a common and important public health practice.

Estimating the number of illnesses associated with specific food sources is called foodborne illness source attribution. These analyses are the logical extension of our 2011 analyses estimating the number, or burden, of foodborne illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths in the US. Learn more…

Topics

2011 Estimates of Foodborne Illness

Comparing Estimates:
2011 vs 1999 Methods

Comparing Estimates:
Improvements and Differences

Questions and Answers : 2011 Estimates

Trends in Foodborne Illness

Attribution of Foodborne Illness

Foodborne Illness Surveillance Systems

Resources

Foodborne Illness, Outbreaks, and Prevention

Estimating Foodborne Illness: An Overview

How are foodborne outbreaks investigated?

Foodborne Illness Surveillance, Response, and Data Systems

CDC and Food Safety

Prevention and Education

Featured Publications

New! Attribution of Foodborne
Illnesses in the United States,
1998-2008 – Link to EID Journal

2011 Estimates of Foodborne
Illness Acquired in the
United States – Q&A

Link to EID Journal

31 Pathogens Causing US Foodborne Illnesses, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, 2000–2008 [PDF - 1 page]

CDC Medscape Commentary

Foodborne Illness: A Handy Overview