FSIS Foodborne Illness Outbreak 

Investigations, Fiscal Year 2018 

Introduction 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office of Public Health 

Science, Applied Epidemiology Staff coordinates the FSIS response to foodborne illness outbreaks that 

may involve FSIS-regulated products. This includes outbreaks that involve four foodborne pathogens that 

most frequently affect FSIS-regulated products – Salmonella, Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli 

(STEC), Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), and Campylobacter. 

FSIS collects and evaluates epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback information to determine if there is 

an association between an FSIS-regulated product and human illnesses. Epidemiologic information 

includes details like the foods ill people ate, where they purchased these foods, and where they live. 

Laboratory information includes comparing bacteria in FSIS samples and ill people to see if they are 

genetically similar or have similar characteristics. Traceback activities may include determining the 

location (e.g., grocery store, deli counter, or restaurant) where the product was sold or the source of a 

product (e.g., the federally-inspected slaughter or processing facility). Depending on the evidence 

collected during an investigation, FSIS may have enough detailed exposure and product information to 

take one or more actions to prevent additional illnesses. These actions may include requesting that a 

company remove product from commerce and issuing a press release announcing that a federal 

establishment is voluntarily recalling product(s) linked to human illnesses or notifying the public of 

potential food safety concerns through the issuance of a public health alert. 

This report summarizes outbreaks that FSIS investigated during October 1, 2017 through September 30, 

2018, Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018). 

Fiscal Year 2018 in Review 

During FY 2018, FSIS investigated 16 outbreaks in coordination with local, state, and federal public health 

partners that involved approximately 1,400 illnesses and more than 400 hospitalizations. State public 

health partners notified FSIS most often (9, 56.3%). Ten (62.5%) outbreaks involved illnesses in more than 

one state. 

Of the 16 outbreaks investigated by FSIS in FY 2018, Salmonella (9, 56.3%) was the most common 

pathogen, followed by STEC (5, 31.3%), Clostridium and Salmonella (1, 6.3%), and Lm (1, 6.3%) (Figure 1). 

Beef (6, 37.5%) and chicken (5, 31.3%) were the most common food products of interest (Figure 2). 

Serotypes involved in the FY 2018 Salmonella outbreaks included Newport, I 4,[5],12:i:-, Reading, 

Typhimurium, Infantis, Blockley, and Enteritidis. STEC outbreaks were caused by one or more of the 

following serogroups: O157:H7 and O26. 

Six (37.5%) outbreaks led to a product recall. FSIS requested that establishments recall product 

associated with outbreaks. 

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Table 1 depicts characteristics about these outbreaks, including information on the serotype/serogroup, 

product of interest, if FSIS samples were determined to be related to human illnesses, and if the available 

outbreak information resulted in a recall of FSIS-regulated products from commerce to prevent additional 

illnesses. 

Figure 1. FY 2018 Outbreaks by Pathogen, 

N = 16 (%) 

Lm (1, 6.3%) 

Multi-pathogen 

(1, 6.3%) 

STEC (5, 31.3%) 

Salmonella (9, 56.3%) 

*Product investigated included multiple ingredients 

Table 1. FY 2018 Outbreak Characteristics 

Figure 2. FY 2018 Outbreaks by Product of Interest, 

N = 16 (%) 

Non-FSIS regulated product (1, 6.3%) Multi -ingredient 

Product* (1, 6.3%) 

Turkey (1, 6.3%) 

Beef (6, 37.5%) 

Pork (2, 

12.5%) 

Chicken (5, 31.3%) 

Pathogen Serotype/Serogroup ProductB FSIS isolatesD Non FSIS 

isolatesE 

RecallF 

STEC 

O157:H7 Beef No No Yes 

O157:H7 Beef No Yes No 

O157:H7 Non-FSIS Regulated 

Product (Romaine) No Yes No 

O26 Beef Yes Yes Yes 

O157:H7 and O26 Beef No No No 

Lm Pork Yes No Yes 

Salmonella Blockley Chicken Yes Yes No 

Enteritidis Chicken No Yes No 

Infantis Chicken Yes Yes No 

Newport Beef Yes Yes No 

Newport Beef Yes Yes Yes 

Reading Turkey Yes Yes Yes 

Typhimurium Chicken No Yes Yes 

I 4,[5],12:i:- Pork No No No 

I 4,[5],12:i:- Chicken Yes No No 

Multi-pathogenA Multi-ingredient 

ProductC No Yes No 

A) Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-

B) Product investigated by FSIS as possible, likely, or confirmed causeof illnesses during outbreak investigation 

C) Product(s) investigated included multiple ingredients 

D) Isolates recovered from FSIS product (or cecal) or environmental testing found to be related (either by whole 

genome sequencing or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) to clinical isolates and are included in the outbreak cluster 

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E) Isolates recovered from non-FSIS product, live animal, or environmental testing found to be related (either by 

whole genome sequencing or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) to clinical isolates and are included in the outbreak 

cluster) 

F) Based on available evidence, FSIS-regulated product was determined to be the cause of human illnesses and a 

company voluntarily recalled product from commerce 

Learning from Outbreaks 

Assessment of outbreaks associated with FSIS-regulated products is crucial to FSIS’ mission to prevent 

foodborne illness and to protect public health. FSIS routinely conducts after-action reviews (AARs) at 

the conclusion of foodborne outbreak investigations to identify lessons learned that can help improve 

response and prevent future illnesses. Applying and sharing outbreak lessons learned may lead to 

improved food safety policies and can strengthen collaborative investigations with public health 

partners. 

FSIS conducted AARs for several FY 2018 outbreak investigations. For example, FSIS, conducted an AAR in 

collaboration with public health partners for an FY 2018 Salmonella Typhimurium illness outbreak 

associated with chicken salad. Similar to other outbreaks, this AAR identified the need to improve 

communication between investigation partners. To facilitate such communication, FSIS published a 

“Template for Including FSIS in Foodborne Illness Response Procedures”on its webpage. The AAR report 

for this outbreak investigation is posted on the FSIS website. 

To see additional posted FSIS AAR reports and examples of how FSIS has applied outbreak lessons learned 

toward illness prevention, visit Foodborne Outbreak Investigation Outcomes – Response and Prevention. 

Contact and Questions 

For more information, contact askFSIS. 

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