FSIS Foodborne Illness Outbreak 

Investigations, Fiscal Year 2017 

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, 2016 through September 30, 

2017, Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017). 

Fiscal Year 2017 in Review 

During FY 2017, FSIS investigated eight outbreaks in coordination with local, state, and federal public 

health partners that involved approximately 300 illnesses and over 100 hospitalizations. The Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informed FSIS about six (75.0%) of these outbreaks and six (75.0%) 

outbreaks involved illnesses in more than one state. 

Of the eight outbreaks investigated by FSIS in FY 2017, Salmonella (6, 75.0%) was the most common 

pathogen, followed by STEC (1, 12.5%) and Lm (1, 12.5%) (Figure 1). Serotypes involved in the FY 2017 

Salmonella outbreaks included Enteritidis, Newport, and I 4,[5],12:i:-. Among the six Salmonella 

outbreaks, beef, chicken, and pork products were associated with illnesses (Figure 2). Due to lack of 

information for the six Salmonella outbreaks, FSIS could not take further action on a product or 

recommend actions for consumers or industry 

There were two additional outbreaks investigated during FY 2017, one each caused by STEC and Lm. 

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Investigation and available evidence did not implicate FSIS-regulated products as the source of illnesses in 

these outbreaks. 

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. 

Figure 1. FY 2017 Outbreaks by Pathogen, Figure 2. FY 2017 Outbreaks by Product of 

N = 8 (%) Interest, N = 8 (%) 

Multiple Products* (1, STEC (1, 12.5%) 

12.5%) 

Lm (1, 12.5%) Beef (3, 37.5%) 

Pork (2, 25.0%) 

Salmonella (6, 75.0%) 

Chicken (2, 25.0%) 

*Multiple FSIS-regulated products were investigated and a single suspect food was not identified 

Table 1. FY 2017 Outbreak Characteristics 

Pathogen Serotype/Serogroup ProductA FSIS IsolatesC Non FSIS 

IsolatesD 

RecallE 

STEC O157:H7 Beef No Yes No 

Lm Multiple ProductsB No Yes No 

Salmonella Enteritidis Chicken Yes No No 

Newport Beef Yes Yes No 

Newport Beef Yes No No 

Newport Pork Yes No No 

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

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

A) Product investigated by FSIS as possible, likely, or confirmed cause of illnesses during outbreak investigation 

B) Multiple FSIS-regulated products were investigated and a single suspect food was not identified 

C) 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 

D) 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) 

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

company voluntarily recalled product from commerce 

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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 

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

to improved food safety policies and improved investigation processes with public health partners. 

FSIS conducted AARs for several FY 2017 outbreak investigations. For example, an AAR was conducted for 

a Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- outbreak associated with rotisserie chicken investigated in both FY 2016 and FY 

2017; the AAR identified several concerns about cooking practices for rotisserie chickens at retail and the 

need for research. FSIS submitted an issue regarding rotisserie chicken outbreaks to the 2018 Conference 

for Food Protection (Issue Number: Council III-022). The Conference for Food Protection recommended no 

action on this issue, however, FSIS also developed food safety research priorities that may be of interest to 

researchers related to Salmonella and rotisserie chicken in retail. A summary of 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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