Hospitalizations Caused by Foodborne Illnesses Doubled in 2024

Research found that 98% of illnesses were attributed to just 13 outbreaks in the U.S.

February 19, 2025

According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group’s (PIRG’s) Food for Thought 2025 report, hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illnesses doubled in 2024, and 98% of illnesses were attributed to just 13 outbreaks.

In 2024, there were 1,392 foodborne illnesses recorded in the U.S., an increase from 1,118 in 2023. Additionally, hospitalizations more than doubled from 230 in 2023 to 487 in 2024. So did deaths, increasing from eight in 2023 to 19 in 2024.

“Despite the increased number of illnesses and severe outcomes seen in 2024, the combined number of recalls issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decreased by 5% from 2023 (313 recalls) to 2024 (296 recalls). FDA issued 8% more recall alerts in 2024 (241 recalls) than in 2023, while USDA issued 38% fewer recall alerts in 2024 (55 recalls) than in 2023,” reported Food Safety Magazine.

According to the outlet, the number of recalls caused by three important foodborne pathogens—Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella or Escherichia coli—increased in 2024 and together comprised 39% of all recalls. L. monocytogenes caused the second greatest number of recalls in 2024, increasing to 65 recalls from 47 in 2023. Salmonella ranked third with 41 recalls in 2024, compared to 27 in 2023. E. coli caused 3% of recalls in 2024.

Of the 13 outbreaks that caused 98% of illnesses in 2024, all but one involved L. monocytogenes, Salmonella or E. coli.

Notably last year, there was a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meat and poultry items from Boar’s Head in July. The recall stemmed from a deadly multistate outbreak of listeria, which was discovered when a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

Interested in learning more about how to maintain consumer safety and how to provide clean and quality experiences to customers? Register for the 2025 NACS Food Safety Forum April 8 in Dallas, held in conjunction with the 2025 State of the Industry Summit.