List of foodborne illness outbreaks

This is a list of foodborne illness outbreaks. A foodborne illness may be from an infectious disease, heavy metals, chemical contamination, or from natural toxins, such as those found in poisonous mushrooms.

Deadliest

 * List of foodborne illness outbreaks by death toll

Canada

 * 2008 Canada listeriosis outbreak

China

 * 2008 Chinese milk scandal

Germany

 * 2011 Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak

Japan

 * Minamata disease
 * Niigata Minamata disease
 * 1996 Japan E. coli O157:H7

Russia

 * 2024 Russian botulism outbreak

Spain

 * 1981 Toxic oil syndrome

United Kingdom

 * 2005 outbreak of E.coli O157 in South Wales
 * 1996 outbreak of E. coli O157 in Lanarkshire, Scotland
 * Loch Maree Hotel botulism poisoning

United States
In 1999, an estimated 5,000 deaths, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 76 million illnesses were caused by foodborne illnesses within the US. Illness outbreaks lead to food recalls.