This page contains information related to foodborne illness investigation for FSIS’ local, state, federal, and international public health partners.

Notify FSIS of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Please notify FSIS as soon as possible of illness outbreaks potentially associated with FSIS-regulated products (including meat, poultry, and processed egg products) through the points of contact provided below.

When notifying FSIS of a foodborne illness outbreak, provide as many details about the outbreak and the investigation as possible, as outlined here: Information Helpful to FSIS During Foodborne Illness Investigations.

Recommendations for Including FSIS in Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Procedures

Information in this recommended template may be adapted by public health partners for including FSIS in foodborne illness outbreak response procedures.

FSIS Points of Contact and Information Related to Foodborne Illness

Listed below, by foodborne illness–related topic, are primary FSIS program areas with relevant contact information, FSIS Directives and Notices (FSIS policies and procedures), and additional resources. (FSIS Directives and Notices are provided in PDF.)

Epidemiology and Laboratory Analysis of Suspect Food Products

Office of Public Health Science (OPHS) | E-mail: FoodborneDiseaseReports@usda.gov

• FSIS Directive 8080.3: Foodborne Illness Investigations
• FSIS Directive 10,000.1: Policy on Use of Results from Non-FSIS Laboratories
• Fact Sheets: Foodborne Illness and Disease

Traceback/Traceforward Investigations of Suspect Food Products

Office of Investigation, Enforcement, and Audit (OIEA) – Regional Contacts

• FSIS Directive 8010.2: Investigative Methodology

Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection and Recalls

Office of Field Operations (OFO) – District Office (Regional) Contacts

• FSIS Directive 5100.4: Establishment Public Health Risk Evaluation (PHRE) Methodology
• FSIS Directive 5100.1: Establishment Food Safety Assessment (FSA) Methodology
• FSIS Directive 5500.2: Significant Incident Response (Emergency Management Committee [EMC])
• FSIS Directive 5500.3: Incident Investigation Team (IIT) Reviews
• FSIS Directive 10,300.1: Intensified Verification Testing (IVT) (Product/Food Contact Surface/Environmental Sampling)
• FSIS Directive 8080.1: Recall of Meat and Poultry Products
• FSIS Directive 5100.2: Recall Investigations and Effectiveness Checks
• Establishment Directory | Production and Inspection | FSIS Food Recalls | State Inspection Programs

Significant Incident Preparedness and Response Staff (SIPRS)

• Food Defense and Emergency Response

Media Inquiries/Press Release Coordination

Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE) | E-mail: Press@fsis.usda.gov; Phone: (202) 720-9113

Consumer Complaint Reporting and Investigation

• Report a Problem with Food
• FSIS Directive 5610.1: Consumer Complaint Monitoring System (CCMS)
• FSIS Directive 5100.2: Consumer Complaint Investigations

Sharing Investigative Information with Partners

• FSIS Directive 2620.5: Sharing Information with Local, State, and International Partners
• Foodborne Outbreak Investigation Outcomes - Response and Prevention (response actions, after-action reviews, and policy implications)
• Establishment-Specific FSIS Sampling Results
• Salmonella Categorization of Individual Establishments (young chicken/turkey carcasses)
• Subscribe to FSIS Constituent Updates (updates on policies, procedures, and food safety issues)

Other Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Investigating Foodborne Outbreaks
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies | Resources for Regulatory Partners
• Foodsafety.gov: Websites of State Health Departments and State Agriculture Departments | Selected Federal Agencies with a Role in Food Safety (including product jurisdiction)
• Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR): Products and Resources for Outbreak Response
• Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO): Directory of State and Local Officials | State Jurisdiction and Enforcement Directory
• National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO): Directory of Local Health Departments