Important Facts in Foodborne Diseases ◾ 315
incidences occurred with foods served at food establishments (Table 24.6). These include fast-food
services, restaurants, cafeterias, and schools. Several factors could be associated with this. 9 The
total number of meals served is very high. Also, high proportions of food are served within a very
short period of time. In addition, the number of people involved in handling the food is very high,
many of which may not have training in safe food handling.
This can result in a greater chance of contamination and failure to observe proper sanitation.
Improper cooling of foods, cross-contamination, and contamination of food from pets could be
the reasons for the foodborne diseases with foods served in homes. Mishandling of foods, temperature abuse, long intervals between preparation and consumption, and improper sanitation
could be associated with the outbreaks at picnics. The exact sources could not be identified in 30%
of the outbreaks; however, from the available information, it is most likely that many of them were
probably with foods served at food establishments. Although not listed in the table, the relative
table 24.5 Foods and Pathogens involved in outbreaks from 2000–2012 (Continued)
Year
Foods Involved
Place
Pathogen
No.
Illnesses
No. Deaths
2002
Processed chicken
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
46
7
2000
Bean sprouts
USA
Salmonella
23
–
2000
Dairy farms
USA
Esc. coli O157:H7
56
–
2000
Delicatessen turkey
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
30
4 deaths, 3
miscarriages
2000
Homemade
Mexican-style
cheese
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
12
5
miscarriages
table 24.6 Predominant establishments of Food Consumption
Associated with Confirmed Foodborne Diseases Due to
Pathogenic Bacteria and Viruses Between 1983 and 1987 in
the United States
Establishment
No. Outbreaks
%
Homes
149
24.8
Food services a
225
37.5
Picnic b
45
7.5
Processing plants c
N/A
N/A
Unknown d
181
30.2
Total
600
100
a Includes fastfood establishments, restaurants, cafeterias, school
lunch programs.
b Includes family picnics, church picnics, camp.
c Data not available.
d Exact place(s) could not be identified.
incidences occurred with foods served at food establishments (Table 24.6). These include fast-food
services, restaurants, cafeterias, and schools. Several factors could be associated with this. 9 The
total number of meals served is very high. Also, high proportions of food are served within a very
short period of time. In addition, the number of people involved in handling the food is very high,
many of which may not have training in safe food handling.
This can result in a greater chance of contamination and failure to observe proper sanitation.
Improper cooling of foods, cross-contamination, and contamination of food from pets could be
the reasons for the foodborne diseases with foods served in homes. Mishandling of foods, temperature abuse, long intervals between preparation and consumption, and improper sanitation
could be associated with the outbreaks at picnics. The exact sources could not be identified in 30%
of the outbreaks; however, from the available information, it is most likely that many of them were
probably with foods served at food establishments. Although not listed in the table, the relative
table 24.5 Foods and Pathogens involved in outbreaks from 2000–2012 (Continued)
Year
Foods Involved
Place
Pathogen
No.
Illnesses
No. Deaths
2002
Processed chicken
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
46
7
2000
Bean sprouts
USA
Salmonella
23
–
2000
Dairy farms
USA
Esc. coli O157:H7
56
–
2000
Delicatessen turkey
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
30
4 deaths, 3
miscarriages
2000
Homemade
Mexican-style
cheese
USA
Lis. monocytogenes
12
5
miscarriages
table 24.6 Predominant establishments of Food Consumption
Associated with Confirmed Foodborne Diseases Due to
Pathogenic Bacteria and Viruses Between 1983 and 1987 in
the United States
Establishment
No. Outbreaks
%
Homes
149
24.8
Food services a
225
37.5
Picnic b
45
7.5
Processing plants c
N/A
N/A
Unknown d
181
30.2
Total
600
100
a Includes fastfood establishments, restaurants, cafeterias, school
lunch programs.
b Includes family picnics, church picnics, camp.
c Data not available.
d Exact place(s) could not be identified.