Q. Where can I find foodborne illness information?

A. The FDA's Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook (Bad Bug Book)includes a description of each food pathogen and its associated foodborne illness. Information includes acute symptoms, diagnosis, onset time, associated foods, outbreaks, disease complications and incidence. The following chart provides a summary of Typical Onset, Duration, and Symptoms of Foodborne Illnesses.

The CDC also provides information about foodborne diseases and outbreaks. According to the CDC, about 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 people die from foodborne illnesses each year. For more information on foodborne illness statistics, visit FoodNet - Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network.

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