Worst food-borne illness outbreaks

The worst food-borne illness outbreaks —

The number of salmonella infections linked to cucumbers continues to soar. Four people have died in this year's ongoing outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which has reported more than 800 cases.

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Tuna —

Salmonella in a frozen raw yellowfin tuna product, known as Nakaochi Scrape, sickened 425 people and hospitalized 55 in the spring and summer of 2012. Sushi made from frozen raw tuna is linked to 62 cases of Salmonella this year. Here are some of the biggest foodborne illness outbreaks since 2001.

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A Consumer Reports team looked for five types of bacteria that have been found on beef, including E. coli O157, a strain that causes bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain and has been linked with the highest number of outbreaks of foodborne illnesses from beef. Most packages of ground beef in the grocery store contain at least one type of bacteria that could make you sick, according to their survey.

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The Food and Drug Administration has issued a ban on some cilantro imported from Mexico <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/28/health/mexico-cilantro/index.html" target="_blank">after an investigation</a> to determine the cause of hundreds of reported intestinal illnesses in the United States dating back to 2012. People infected with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis experienced watery diarrhea, nausea, bloating and cramping. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/24/health/gallery/food-safety-tips/index.html">Click here</a> for tips on how to keep your food safe.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a ban on some cilantro imported from Mexico after an investigation to determine the cause of hundreds of reported intestinal illnesses in the United States dating back to 2012. People infected with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis experienced watery diarrhea, nausea, bloating and cramping. Click here for tips on how to keep your food safe.

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Worst foodborne illness outbreaks —

Raw milk can contain germs such as E. coli, Salmonella and Campylobacter.

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Chicken —

In 2013, Foster Farms chicken infected 634 people in 29 states with a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella, according to the CDC. Of the 634 cases, 38% involved hospitalization.

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Frozen berries —

A hepatitis A outbreak was attributed to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries in September 2013. A total of 162 cases were reported, and 71 people were hospitalized, according to the CDC. Severe hepatitis cases can cause liver damage. The blend's pomegranate seeds came from a company in Turkey, which was the source of contamination.

John Foxx

Cantaloupe —

Cantaloupes tainted with salmonella infected more than 260 people across 24 states in October 2012. Three people in Kentucky died and 94 were hospitalized. Investigators determined Chamberlain Farms Produce Inc. of Owensville, Indiana, was the source of this outbreak.

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Ricotta cheese —

Twenty-two cases were reported of a Listeria monocytogenes infection from the Frescolina Marte brand of ricotta salata cheese in 2012, but 90% of those people were hospitalized, and four people died, according to the CDC.

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Cantaloupe —

In September 2011, listeria in cantaloupes left 30 people dead in what was 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.

Between February and August 2011, the Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. recalled <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/08/03/turkey.recall/index.html">more than 36 million pounds of ground turkey</a> after tests revealed a strain of salmonella. The outbreak killed one person and sickened more than 130.

Ground turkey —

Between February and August 2011, 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 more than 130.

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Eggs —

In summer 2010, more than 1,900 people were reportedly sickened by salmonella found in eggs produced by Iowa's Hillandale Farms, which voluntarily recalled about a half-billion eggs nationwide.

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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, 1,442 people in 43 states were <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/08/28/salmonella/">infected with salmonella from Mexico-grown jalapeño and serrano peppers</a>. 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, 1,442 people in 43 states were infected with salmonella from Mexico-grown jalapeño 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.

Peanut butter —

Nine people died from salmonella-infected peanut butter between September 2008 and April 2009. 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 hospitalized.

Spinach —

In the summer of 2006, more than 200 people became infected with E. coli from spinach grown on a single California field. Investigators traced the prepackaged spinach back to Natural Selection Foods and baby spinach sold under the Dole brand name. Five deaths were linked to the outbreak.

During 2005 and 2006, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5635a3.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">four large outbreaks of salmonella</a> infections hit 21 states in the United States. Tainted tomatoes being served in restaurants were found to be the cause. Investigators linked the produce to fields in Florida, Ohio and Virginia.

Tomatoes —

During 2005 and 2006, four large outbreaks of salmonella infections hit 21 states in the United States. Tainted tomatoes being served in restaurants were found to be the cause. Investigators linked the produce to fields in Florida, Ohio and Virginia.

Roma tomatoes —

Pre-sliced Roma tomatoes purchased at deli counters in Sheetz gas stations infected more than 400 people in the summer of 2004. Two other smaller outbreaks in the United States and Canada also occurred that summer and were linked back to a tomato-packing house in Florida.

<a href="http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/42/1/29.full" target="_blank" target="_blank">Listeria-infected sliced turkey</a> killed eight and infected 46 others in 2002. Three pregnant women had fetal deaths. Two processing plants recalled 30 million pounds of meat following the outbreak.

Deli meats —

Listeria-infected sliced turkey killed eight and infected 46 others in 2002. Three pregnant women had fetal deaths. Two processing plants recalled 30 million pounds of meat following the outbreak.

Cantaloupe —

In 2001, cantaloupe was again the culprit. Salmonella tainted the fruit that killed two, hospitalized nine and infected 50 in an outbreak that started in Mexico.