Twice as many people were killed or hospitalized from food poisoning in 2024 than in 2023, according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG.) Contaminated food killed or hospitalized more than 500 people in 2024, up from 240 in 2023, according to the report entitled Food for Thought 2025.
“This indicates that some companies just aren’t doing enough to keep bacteria from contaminating our food,” said Teresa Murray, PIRG consumer watchdog director and co-author of the report. Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli posed the biggest threats.
Thirteen food poisoning outbreaks last year accounted for 98 percent of 1,400 food poisoning illnesses. Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli caused 12 of the 13 outbreaks.
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Food Poisoning Hospitalizations and Deaths
In 2024, 487 people were hospitalized from food poisoning, up from 230 in 2023, according to the report. Severe illness from food poisoning can have long-term health effects such as organ or nerve damage and chronic arthritis. Food poisoning deaths rose from eight in 2023 to 19 in 2024. The fatalities were associated with contaminated deli meat, cucumbers, onions, carrots, soft cheese, chocolate and mushroom snacks, and ready-to-eat meat and poultry.
The Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak
The Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak was particularly lethal. The 19-state outbreak linked to Boar’s Head liverwurst and other deli-sliced meat caused 61 illnesses and 10 deaths.
Inspectors found dozens of food safety violations at the Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt Virginia, according to documents obtained by CBS News through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The violations included animal blood pooling on the floor, meat build-up on machinery, foul odors, dead and live insects, rusty equipment, and doors, walls, and ceilings in a state of disrepair.
Boar’s Head permanently closed the Jarratt plant in September 2023 and no longer makes liverwurst.
Other 2024 Outbreaks
The other 12 outbreaks examined in the study were:
- Fratelli Beretta charcuterie meats – Salmonella – 104 illnesses, 27 hospitalizations
- Rio Lopez queso fresco and other soft cheeses – Listeria – 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, two deaths
- Raw Farm raw cheddar cheese – E. coli – 11 illnesses, five hospitalizations
- Infinite Herbs – Salmonella – 36 illnesses, four hospitalizations
- Gibson Farms Organic Walnuts – E. coli – 13 illnesses, seven hospitalizations
- Fresh Start cucumbers – Salmonella – 551 illnesses, 155 hospitalizations
- Shruumz snacks – muscimol -118 illnesses, 73 hospitalizations, three deaths
- Milo’s Poultry Farms and Tony’s Fresh Market – Salmonella – 93 illnesses, 34 hospitalizations
- Taylor Farms onions served at McDonald’s – E. coli – 104 illnesses, 34 hospitalizations, one death
- Grimmway carrots – E. coli – 48 illnesses, 20 hospitalizations, one death
- Yu Shang RTE meat and poultry – Listeria – 19 illnesses, 17 hospitalizations, two deaths
- Sunfed cucumbers –Salmonella – 113 illnesses, 28 hospitalizations
Experienced Food Poisoning Lawyers
If you or a family member have been sickened by contaminated food and you would like a free consultation with one of our experienced food poisoning lawyers please contact us today. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or completing the form below. There is no obligation and you never owe anything at all unless we win.