Microbial and non-microbial contaminants such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and chemical or physical substances that contaminate food or food animals during production, processing and preparation.
Pathogens and Contaminants
Spotlights
Food Contaminants & AdulterationDHHS. Food and Drug Administration.
Describes the FDA's authority to oversee food contaminants and adulteration and provides regulatory reports for chemical contaminants, filth, and metals.
Food Safety: Foodborne Illness and Selected Recalls of FDA-Regulated Foods (PDF | 374 KB)Congressional Research Service.
A report (2009) describes several systems to monitor foodborne diseases, presents data on more serious recalls of FDA-regulated foods, and describes three foodborne outbreaks: Salmonella in peanut products, melamine in pet foods and dairy products, and E. coli in spinach.
Outbreak Alert! DatabaseCenter for Science in the Public Interest.
The Outbreak Alert! is a searchable database that includes only outbreaks where both the food and pathogen have been identified. It currently has information on 5,000 outbreaks that occurred between 1990 to 2007.
Foodborne Illness & Disease Fact SheetsUSDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
General information about foodborne illnesses and disease fact sheets. Spanish version is available.
Foodborne Illness Outbreak DatabaseThe Marler Clark Network.
This database provides summaries of significant food and water related outbreaks occurring since 1993 caused by E. coli, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Campylobacter and other pathogens.
Risk AssessmentsUSDA. Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Reports the quantitative or qualitative value of risks associated with different foodborne illnesses such as avian influenza, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, egg and poultry products.
FPAdvisor (Food Pathogen Advisor), A Food Borne Disease DatabaseMichigan Department of Agriculture.
Database providing an instructional aid to food regulatory personnel seeking a better understanding of the range of food borne illnesses.
Risk Profiles of Food PathogensNew Zealand Food Safety Authority.
Microbiological risk profiles of food pathogens prepared to provide contextual and background information so that risk managers can make decisions and, if necessary, take further action.
FDA's Total Diet Study: Monitoring U.S. Food Supply SafetyDHHS. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Summarizes studies conducted to monitor levels of chemical contaminants in foods and the average consumption of food containing chemical contaminants by the general population. Includes information on the history and results of the total diet study, the total diet study today and future research implications.
Common Foodborne PathogensIowa State University Extension.
Information regarding common foodborne pathogens including causes, symptoms, and prevention measures.
Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases IndexDHHS. CDC. Division of Foodborne, Baterial and Mycotic Diseases.
Agency that conducts surveillance, epidemic investigations, epidemiological and laboratory research, training, and public education programs to develop, evaluate, and promote prevention and control strategies for infectious bacterial and mycotic diseases.