Food Safety Newsletter

At a glance

Food Safety Updates From CDC is an electronic newsletter of food safety news for educators, consumer advocates, government officials, and industry representatives.

Food Safety Updates From CDC

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In this edition

New Study: Social Determinants of Health May Play a Role in Foodborne Illness

ground beef sitting on butcher paper
Ground beef

Salmonella is estimated to be the leading bacterial cause of U.S. domestically acquired foodborne illness. Ground beef is the source of many Salmonella illnesses and outbreaks. A recent study sought to understand characteristics of people involved in these outbreaks. The study uses the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index, which helps identify community-level differences in conditions in which people live, work, play, and access care. The study suggests that the overall socioeconomic status of a community where a person lives, such as poverty, unemployment, low income, and not having a high school diploma, was associated with an increased risk of Salmonella illness linked to ground beef consumption. Understanding inequities that put people at risk for illness can help us improve health outcomes and promote health equity.

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New Features & Data in BEAM Dashboard

BEAM Dashboard screenshot for Vibrio
BEAM Dashboard for Vibrio

The BEAM Dashboard, CDC's interactive tool for accessing and visualizing enteric illness data, has been expanded and improved with new data and features.

This summer, CDC integrated outbreak data from the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). Using the "NORS View" button, users can now explore and better understand food outbreak data and find more information in a centralized location.

The BEAM Dashboard now also provides data on vibriosis, an infection caused by Vibrio bacteria. By clicking on "Vibriosis Surveillance," users can see a summary of vibriosis infections reported to CDC and filter data by species, years, and test types.

New Animated Video: The Food Production Chain

Illustrated graphic showing a tractor pulling a trailer in front of a barn
Food production chain

Our food goes through quite a journey to get to our table. This journey is called the food production chain and consists of four steps: production, processing, distribution, and preparation. CDC's new video, How Food Gets Contaminated: The Food Production Chain, includes information on the four steps and how contamination can occur during each step.

Food Safety Tip

Foods exposed to floodwater can make you sick even if they look normal. Throw away any cans and jars that have been in floodwater.
Food in a jar

After a disaster strikes, such as a hurricane, it can be challenging to access safe food. Canned or food in jars that have been sitting in floodwater can look and smell normal but still give you food poisoning. It is best to throw them away.

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