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# Publisher’s Platform: 2018 has been a Big, Bad Year for U.S. Foodborne Illnesses
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/07/publishers-platforn-2018-has-been-an-big-bad-year-for-foodborne-illnesses-in-the-us/
- Published: 2018-07-22T04:03:17.000Z
- Updated: 2018-08-01T05:18:10.000Z
- Author: Bill Marler
- Tags: Foodborne Illness Investigations, Foodborne Illness Outbreaks, For Foodies, Opinion & Contributed Articles, Sections, 2018 outbreaks, Bill Marler, cyclospora, E. coli, opinion, Publisher's Platform, Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 10:47

First off, yes, 2018 seems to be – and we are just 1/2 way into it – a very Big, Bad year for foodborne illnesses.

Second, I am not sure why.

It could be better surveillance by state, local and national health authorities utilizing cutting edge tools such as PFGE and WGS. It could be a lack of support for inspectors. It is certainly possible that it is more imports with a greater supply chain with a great chance for contamination or temperature abuse. It also could be more mass produced fresh, ready to eat foods without a “kill step.”

It also could be none of those things, but it seems to me to be more than just random events. Here are *some* of the highlights of 2018:

### **E. coli**

Romaine Lettuce – 218 sick in US and Canada with 96 hospitalizations and 5 deaths.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-6-28-18-E.-coli-Romaine.jpg)

### **Cyclospora**

McDonald’s Salads – 163 sick with 3 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/outbreak_mapMC_7.20.18.jpg-cyclospora-Mcd.jpg)

Del Monte Vegetable Trays – 237 sick with 7 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/outbreak_map_7_19_18-cyclospora-Del-Monte.jpg)

### **Salmonella**

Jimmy John’s Sprouts – 10 sick.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-2-27-18-sprouts.jpg)

Kratom – 199 sick with 50 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-5-24-18-kratom.jpg)

Fareway/Triple T Chicken Salad – 265 sick with 94 hospitalizations and 1 death.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-4-4-18-salmonella-chicken-salad.jpg)

Go Smile Coconut – 14 sick with 3 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-5-17-18.jpg)

Rose Acre Shell Eggs – 45 sick with 11 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-6-14-18-Salmonella-Egg.jpg)

Caito Cut Melons – 70 sick with 34 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/map-6-19-18-Salmonella-Melon.jpg)

Kellogg’s Honey Smacks – 100 sick with 34 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/map-7-12-18-Salmonella-Honey.jpg)

Hy-Vee Pasta Salad – 21 sick with 5 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/map-7-18-18-Salmonella-Hyvee.jpg)

Raw Turkey – 90 sick with 40 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/map-7-11-18-Salmonella-Turkey.jpg)

### **Vibrio parahaemolyticus**

Venezuelan Crab Meat – 12 sick with 4 hospitalizations.

![](http://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/files/2018/07/big-map-7-16-18-1.jpg)

And, we are only 1/2 way through the year.

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