Articles Tagged with ''outbreak investigations''

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund’s newly published Food for Thought report outlines food recalls and foodborne illness outbreak investigations that occurred in 2025 and provides recommendations for improving the U.S. food recall system.

A new paper describes U.S. regulatory agencies’ roles in two recent, high-profile foodborne illness outbreak investigations—the Boar’s Head listeriosis outbreak and the McDonald’s Escherichia coli outbreak—and highlights the shortcomings and strengths in how the outbreaks were managed.

FDA has shared information about a contaminated ingredient—organic whole milk powder—in the multistate outbreak of infant botulism associated with ByHeart powdered infant formula.

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to four seasoned professionals with experience in the regulatory, academic, and industry spheres about the increasing rate of U.S. food recalls and how the foodborne illness outbreak investigation system could be improved.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, Chair of the HELP Committee, has written a letter to ByHeart Inc., the infant formula manufacturer linked to an ongoing botulism outbreak, demanding answers about the conditions that led to the sale of unsafe product.

In a retrospective analysis of two Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks linked to packaged salads, CDC epidemiologists underline key learnings and suggest proactive measures for industry.

Considering the infant botulism outbreak linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula, during which product was found on store shelves weeks after the recall was announced, FDA issued a letter to industry describing firms’ legal obligations in the case of a recall, as well as warning letters to four major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons).

This article provides background information about FDA’s CORE+EP Signals team's day-to-day work in detecting foodborne illness outbreaks and triaging incidents, and highlights some real-world examples and partnerships that have occurred to improve food safety and protect consumers.

As of December 10, a total of 51 infants are included in the ByHeart formula botulism outbreak. With an expanded case definition, CDC has identified cases that occurred as early as December 2023.

The nationwide infant botulism outbreak associated with ByHeart infant formula has grown to 39 cases in 18 states. All 39 infants were hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.