The Schuster Institute
for Investigative Journalism

Causes of Food Poisoning 

A-Z Index of Foodborne Illness

Causes of food poisoning:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Parasites
• Molds, toxins, and contaminants
• Allergins

Trends in Foodborne Illness, 1996-2010

Food Safety Tips

Making Food Safer: Reducing contamination from the farm to the table 

Some Foods and Germs: Includes information about

• Food safety and raw milk
• Sprouts, what you should know
• Tips to reduce your risk of Salmonella from eggs
• Preparing meat safely
• Preparing chicken safely

CDC's Tips for fresh produce safety:

Stay Informed About Food Product Recalls

Recent recalls list

Get automatic recall alerts by email

FSIS recalls on meat, poultry, processed egg products

Outbreak Databases

Outbreak Alert Database, Center for Science in the Public Interest

Foodborne Illness Outbreak Database, MarlerClark

Foodborne Outbreak Online Database, Center for Disease Control & Prevention

Reporting Foodborne Illness and
  Key Players in Public Response

How to report a foodborne illness problem: U.S. map with links to state departments of public health and state departments of agricultures.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Investigating Foodborne Outbreaks

Key Players in Foodborne Outbreaks Response

Federal Agencies

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety
• Food Safety at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)   
• FoodSafety.gov
• Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Key Reports & Publications

"Federal Food Safety Oversight," March 11, 2011, Government Accountability Office 

Independent Food Safety
  & Public Health Resources

Center for Science in the Public Interest: Food Safety

Consumer Federation of America: Safe Food

Consumer Reports: Food Safety

Food Politics with Marion Nestle

Food Safety Magazine

Food Safety News

Food Integrity Campaign

Food Integrity: Government Accountability Project

Carol Tucker Foreman: Food safety advocate and former USDA official
Interview | It's Time to Move on non-O157:H7 STECs

Make Our Food Safe: A coalition of public health and consumer advocacy organizations

Marler Blog: Commentary and news by leading food safety litigator Bill Marler on food poisoning outbreaks and litigation

STOP Foodborne Illness

Books

"Emerging Epidemics: The Menace of New Infections," Madeline Drexler, Penguin 2010.

"In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto," Michael Pollan, Penguin 2009.

"The Ominvore's Dilema: A Natural History of Four Meals," Michael Pollan, Penguin 2007.

"Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal," Eric Schlosser, Harper 2005. 

"Spoiled: The Dangerous Truth About a Food Chain Gone Haywire," Nicols Fox, Penguin 1998.