List of food contamination incidents

The list of food contamination incidents includes notable occurrences of food contamination that have led to widespread illness, significant economic impact, or changes in food safety regulations. Food contamination can occur at any stage of the food production process, from farm to table, and can involve biological, chemical, or physical contaminants.

Notable Incidents

1900s

• 1902: Arsenic in Beer - In the United Kingdom, arsenic-contaminated beer caused over 6,000 cases of poisoning and at least 70 deaths. The contamination was traced to arsenic-laden sugar used in brewing.
• 1930: Staphylococcal Food Poisoning - An outbreak in the United States linked to contaminated milk affected over 1,000 people.

1980s

• 1985: Salmonella in Milk - In the United States, a large outbreak of Salmonella was linked to contaminated milk from a dairy plant in Illinois, affecting over 16,000 people.
• 1986: Chernobyl Disaster - The Chernobyl disaster led to widespread radioactive contamination of food in Europe, particularly affecting dairy products and produce.

2000s

• 2006: E. coli in Spinach - An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in the United States was linked to contaminated spinach, resulting in 199 illnesses and 3 deaths.
• 2008: Melamine in Milk - In China, melamine-contaminated milk powder affected an estimated 300,000 infants, causing kidney stones and other health issues.

2010s

• 2011: E. coli in Fenugreek Sprouts - An outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 in Germany was linked to contaminated fenugreek sprouts, resulting in 3,950 illnesses and 53 deaths.
• 2013: Horse Meat Scandal - In Europe, horse meat was found in products labeled as beef, leading to a major food fraud scandal and recalls across multiple countries.

2020s

• 2021: Listeria in Deli Meats and Cheeses - In the United States, an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes was linked to contaminated deli meats and cheeses, resulting in 10 illnesses and 1 death.

Impact and Response

Food contamination incidents often lead to significant public health responses, including recalls, public advisories, and changes in food safety regulations. They also highlight the importance of food safety practices and the need for robust food monitoring systems.

Related Pages

• Food safety
• Foodborne illness
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
• Food recall
• Food poisoning

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