Certainly not a complete list of foodborne illness outbreaks, but there sure are a variety.

Romaine Lettuce – E. coli O157:H7

A total of 60 due to the outbreak strain of E. coli serotype O157:H7 have been reported from 10 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (1), Arkansas (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (9), Indiana (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (3), Missouri (37), and Nebraska (1).

Kosher Broiled Chicken Livers – Salmonella Heidelberg

A total of 179 illnesses due to Salmonella Heidelberg with the outbreak pattern were reported from 6 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state the product is distributed to is as follows: New York (99), New Jersey (61), Pennsylvania (10), Maryland (6), Ohio (2), and Minnesota (1).

Turkish Pine Nuts – Salmonella Enteriditis

A total of 43 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis were reported from 5 states.  The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (28), Pennsylvania (8), and Virginia (4).

Ground Turkey – Salmonella Heidelberg

A total of 136 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported from 34 states with illness onset dates between February 27 and September 13, 2011. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (3), California (7), Colorado (4), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (16), Indiana (2), Iowa (2), Kansas (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (4), Maryland (1), Michigan (12), Minnesota (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri (7), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), North Carolina (4), Ohio (12), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (8), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (2), Texas (18), Utah (1), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (4).

Whole, Fresh Imported Papayas – Salmonella Agona

A total of 106 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agona were reported from 25 states between January 1 and August 25, 2011. The number of ill persons identified in each state with the outbreak strain was as follows: Arkansas (1), Arizona (4), California (8), Colorado (1), Georgia (8), Illinois (18), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (3), Missouri (3), Nebraska (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (3), New York (9), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (25), Virginia (2), Washington (5), and Wisconsin (2).

Alfalfa and Spicy Sprouts – Salmonella Enteritidis

A total of 25 persons with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis have been reported from 5 states: Idaho (3), Montana (10), New Jersey (1), North Dakota (1) and Washington (10).

Oregon Strawberry Outbreak – E. coli O157:H7

At least 15 people in Northwestern Oregon became ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating strawberries grown on a Newberg farm in July 2011.  According to Oregon Public Health, the E. coli-contaminated strawberries were grown by the Jaquith Strawberry Farm in Newberg and were resold at roadside stands and farmers markets. 

El Gran Burrito Outbreak  – Salmonella Newport

In July 2011, multiple people were hospitalized at Mt. Sinai Hospital as a result of severe gastrointestinal disease.  Several of these unrelated individuals reported consuming food at El Gran Burrito on South Pulaski Road in Chicago, Illinois.  The City of Chicago Health Department initiated an investigation of the restaurant, and ultimately discovered that at least one food handler at El Gran Burrito was infected by Salmonella Newport.  During the course of the health department investigation, many other people reported severe illness after eating food at El Gran Burrito from July 6 through 11, 2011.

Jason’s Deli Outbreak – E. coli O157:H7

In April, Jason’s Deli located at 3213 East Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, Texas was linked to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Eleven were sickened and two hospitalized with HUS. The most likely source of the infection was identified as a batch of guacamole made on April 13th, used as spread for the “California Club” sandwich.