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Digesting the Data: Overview of Foodborne Outbreaks in Canada Submitted to Outbreak Summaries, 2008-2023
Elizabeth Schutt1, Emily Thompson2, Leslie Cheng3
1Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Canadian foodborne outbreaks from 2008-2023 show Salmonella as the leading cause of illness and hospitalizations. Listeria monocytogenes, though less common, had the highest hospitalization and fatality rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Surveillance
- Foodborne Illness Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Outbreak Analysis
Background:
- The Outbreak Summaries system collects and analyzes Canadian enteric, food, and waterborne disease outbreak data.
- Surveillance data from 2008 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of foodborne outbreaks across Canada.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize and characterize foodborne outbreak investigations submitted to Outbreak Summaries between 2008 and 2023.
- To identify trends in outbreak submissions, common pathogens, food vehicles, and associated outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Extraction and characterization of finalized foodborne outbreak investigation reports from participating Canadian jurisdictions.
- Analysis of data by pathogen, outcomes (illness, hospitalization, death), food vehicles, and pathogen-food vehicle pairs.
- Exploration of annual trends in outbreak submissions and jurisdictional scope.
Main Results:
- A total of 452 foodborne outbreaks were reported, resulting in 14,650 illnesses, 1268 hospitalizations, and 68 deaths.
- Bacteria caused nearly 70% of outbreaks, with Salmonella being the most frequent pathogen (42%), followed by Norovirus (16%).
- Salmonella was linked to the most illnesses and hospitalizations; Listeria monocytogenes had the highest hospitalization (94%) and fatality (17%) rates. Raw vegetables, chicken, and shellfish were the most common food vehicles.
Conclusions:
- Analysis of pathogens and food vehicles in foodborne outbreaks supports public health investigations in Canada.
- Over 15 years of surveillance data and expanded program participation offer a robust understanding of Canada's foodborne outbreak landscape.
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