The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) has released a summary of outbreaks investigated during FY 2023.

In 2023, FSIS investigated six outbreaks in coordination with local, state, and federal public health partners. These outbreaks involved more than 100 illnesses and 30 hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified FSIS of five (83%) of these outbreaks. FSIS became aware of the sixth outbreak by notification from a state public health agency. Five (83%) outbreaks involved illnesses in more than one state.

Of the six outbreaks investigated by FSIS in FY 2023, three were caused by Salmonella (serotypes Newport, Saintpaul, and Typhimurium) and two by STEC (serogroup O157:H7). The sixth investigation involved a report of botulism that included commercially canned potted meat (containing chicken and pork) as a potential source. FSIS’ investigation of the establishment where the canned potted meat was produced, and laboratory testing of similar cans, did not determine that the canned potted meat was the source of the illness. The illness was later determined to not be associated with a food source.

Beef products, including beef ground and packaged at retail stores, were the food product of interest for the five Salmonella and STEC outbreaks investigated in FY 2023. The 2023 outbreak investigations did not lead to any recalls of FSIS-regulated products or public health alerts (PHAs).