Recent investigations into outbreaks of cyclospora and salmonella across multiple states are drawing comparisons to past foodborne illness crises in the United States. As of August 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted 10,468 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico. Over 12,255 unconfirmed cases also emerged, with two fatalities reported in Michigan. In a separate incident, jalapeño peppers, also from Mexico, led to 345 salmonella cases across 27 states. These outbreaks compelled companies like Chipotle and Qdoba to remove jalapeños from their menus. Despite the high case numbers, these recent outbreaks have been less deadly compared to historical instances.

Historic Outbreaks

The 1924 typhoid outbreak, caused by oysters contaminated with Salmonella Typhi, killed 150 people and made 1,500 more ill. Researchers at Michigan State University detailed that victims exhibited severe symptoms and the outbreak led to the establishment of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. The oysters in question were traced to a company in West Sayville, New York.

In 1985, a Los Angeles County outbreak linked to unpasteurized milk in Mexican-style cheese resulted in 142 cases, with 28 fatalities, including 18 adults and 10 children. The New England Journal of Medicine reported the cheese was made by Jalisco Mexican Projects Inc.

Between 1992 and 1993, E. coli traced to undercooked hamburgers at Jack in the Box resulted in four children’s deaths and over 700 illnesses in states including Washington, Idaho, California, and Nevada. The CDC identified several slaughter plants as potential sources, although none were definitively linked. Consequently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture mandated the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system to better monitor food production.

In 1994, a salmonella outbreak sickened approximately 224,000 people through ice cream distributed by Schwan’s Company. Investigations showed the pasteurized ice cream premix was transported in trailers that had previously carried contaminated liquid eggs.

The 2006 spinach E. coli outbreak infected 199 across 26 states, leading to three deaths. Contaminated spinach came from a California field near cattle grazing land, as revealed by USDA investigators.

A salmonella-tainted peanut butter outbreak in 2008 and 2009 resulted in nine deaths and a prison sentence for the former CEO of Peanut Corporation of America, Stewart Parnell. The company misled customers about salmonella presence, resulting in one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history.

In 2011, a listeriosis outbreak linked to Jensen Farms in Colorado killed 33 and sickened 147. The farm’s owners, Eric and Ryan Jensen, were convicted for not properly washing cantaloupes, receiving five years of probation.

This report highlights the severity and consequences of past and present foodborne illness outbreaks.