Image by Philippe Delavie from Pixabay
A new foodborne Listeria outbreak is just the latest in a list of active foodborne illness investigations keeping the agency busy. In fact, the current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks” table contains three active Listeria investigations (one with a known source) and two active Salmonella investigations (also one with a known source).
Here’s what we know about the active foodborne outbreak investigations and what to do if you get sick.
The newest Listeria outbreak on the Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigations table announced on March 5, 2025 currently has three confirmed cases. While that doesn’t sound like a lot, consider the number of cases that never get reported.
Most people with foodborne illness never seek medical treatment. Those people never have a sample tested and are therefore never included in the outbreak statistics.
This Listeria outbreak, assigned reference number 1292, has moved to the sampling portion of the traceback investigation activities.
This means that the agency has a suspected food source and they are testing it to determine if it is contaminated. And if so, if it is genetically similar to the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in outbreak patient samples.
The most recent Salmonella outbreak on the FDA’s Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigations table was announced on February 20, 2025. This Salmonella Newport outbreak, assigned reference number 129,1 has at least 31 confirmed cases.
As with the new Listeria outbreak, this too likely has more unreported cases.
While FDA traceback investigation activities have been initiated, there has been no movement to test suspected food sources or manufacturing facilities.
There is one other unknown food source on the FDA’s Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigations table that the agency is still trying to track down. This outbreak, assigned reference number 1285, was announced January 15, 2025.
So far there have been 36 confirmed cases in this outbreak. Despite the age of the outbreak, no movement in the traceback investigation process has been made despite both sample testing and facility inspections being performed on at least one sample/facility.
In some cases, this is due to a perishable food source expiring before it is discovered, or product is no longer available to test. Occasionally, the FDA can report a suspected source before the investigation is closed.
There have been two active foodborne outbreak investigations with known sources that have gotten public attention. A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to mini pastries that have now been recalled. And a long-term Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to frozen supplemental shakes that was finally traced to a specific manufacturer.
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak listed on the FDA’s Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigations table announced on February 5, 2025 has been linked to imported mini pastries.
The source of this Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has been attributed to Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries made in Italy. These Italian mini pastries made it to the United States by Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc., a Canadian company in Quebec.
The most recent outbreak statistics were reported on January 29, 2025 and included at least 18 confirmed cases across seven states with the outbreak Salmonella strain. One person was hospitalized and there have been no deaths associated with this outbreak.
Recalled mini pastry products are labeled with the Sweet Cream brand and were distributed to food service locations (hotel cafes, bakeries, restaurants, and other institutions) in the states of Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. But they may have been further distributed.
Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries with best by dates from 2025/06/17 through 2025/11/15 are included in this recall.
Symptoms of Salmonella infections range from mild to severe. While anyone can become sick if they consume the contaminated Sweet Cream-brand mini pastries, certain groups of people are more likely to become sick or experience more severe infections.
Those at higher risk include children under five years old, the elderly, and people with a weakened immune system.
Salmonella infection symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after consuming food contaminated with the germ.
Common Salmonella infection symptoms include:
Symptoms usually last about a week (four to seven days).
The deadly Listeria monocytobenes outbreak listed on the FDA’s Active Foodborne Outbreak Investigations table announced on December 26, 2024 has been linked to Frozen Supplemental Shakes.
This outbreak was traced back to frozen supplemental shakes that were manufactured by Prairie Farms Dairy Inc and sold under the brands “Lyons ReadyCare” and “Sysco Imperial.”
The most recent outbreak statistics update on February 24, 2025 has attributed at least 38 illnesses to this product. All but one outbreak patient required hospitalization. There have been 12 deaths reported in this tragic outbreak.
Recalled products associated with this Listeria outbreak were not available to the public through retail sale. These products were primarily distributed to long-term care facilities. The complete list of recalled product can be found here.
Symptoms of Listeria infections can also vary from mild to severe, with a more serious impact on those who are pregnant.
These symptoms generally begin within two weeks of eating food contaminated with the germ. But the illness has a wide range of onset. Some become sick as soon as the same day, while others can take as long as 10 weeks to become symptomatic.
Common Listeria infection symptoms include:
Those who are pregnant often experience milder symptoms. However increased risk of miscarriage, still birth, premature delivery, and potentially fatal infection in the newborn are serious concerns.
Severe illness in those who are not pregnant can also be deadly.
Severe Listeria infection symptoms may include:
If you have become sick from eating contaminated food there are certain things you to should do to help your situation.
If you are seriously ill, a proper diagnosis could mean the difference between prolonged illness and potential complications and prompt recovery.
Let your health care provider know that you may have food poisoning. They will order specialized laboratory tests that will help them determine the germ responsible for your illness.
If your illness is part of a larger outbreak, a list of the foods and drinks you consumed in the weeks prior to you becoming sick may help track down the source.
Be as thorough as possible. Include places you purchased the food. Whether you ate at home or dined out. As well as any other people who may have been exposed to the same food.
Do this as early as possible, while the information is still fresh in your mind.
If you have fallen ill with foodborne illness, you may have a legal claim. Get advice from an experienced foodborne illness lawyer.
Medical bill, lost wages, caring for a loved one, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness add up. You don’t have to go at it alone.
If you have become sick from consuming contaminated food, you may have a legal case. Particularly if you have experience severe illness or have been significantly impacted by your experience.
The experienced Salmonella and Listeria lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help you though this difficult process.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation or fill out the online submission form to discuss the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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