12 Charts Explore America's Salmonella Problem—and Steps to Solve It
Stronger rules for poultry would spur action on farms

A million Americans a year are sickened by foodborne Salmonella, and current food safety policies and regulations don’t do enough to reduce these illnesses, particularly those from poultry products. Americans are falling ill from Salmonella-contaminated food at rates virtually unchanged from those in 2000, and chicken is still frequently linked to outbreaks.1
Federal data from the past two decades underscores the lack of meaningful progress in reducing these infections. They also suggest ways that food regulators and producers can better protect consumers by targeting Salmonella contamination and serotypes, or varieties, in the poultry supply chain earlier and more precisely. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)—the U.S. Department of Agriculture agency overseeing meat and poultry safety—should update its policies and regulations to apply these lessons and lower the rates of foodborne disease.
In a promising move, USDA officials announced plans in Oct. 2021 to pilot and study innovative strategies that could help decrease poultry-related Salmonella illnesses. “Time has shown that our current policies are not moving us closer to our public health goal,” said Sandra Eskin, who as deputy under secretary for food safety is leading the initiative. “It’s time to rethink our approach.”
Goal Set, Not Met
Foodborne Salmonella causes an estimated 1 million illnesses and 19,000 hospitalizations each year.2 In 2010, the federal government set a goal to cut the nation’s incidence rate by 24% over a decade to 11.4 cases per 100,000 people—which the nation’s food producers and regulators are not yet close to meeting.3
Line chart showing the Salmonella incidence rate per 100,000 people from year 2000 to 2020. The minimum is 14.08 case per 100k in 2000; the max is 18.29 in 2018. The chart also shows the gap between the actual case load and the target set by the government. Annotation: The federal government’s Healthy People initiative set a goal in 2010 to reduce the rate from the 2006—2008 baseline of 15 infections per 100,000 people to 11.4 cases per 100,000 people by 2020. However, by 2019, the rate had risen to 17.1 cases.
Salmonella Incidence Rate Per 100,000 People, 2000-19
{"highchartsConfig":{"series":[{"enableMouseTracking":false,"data":[[2010,17.55,15],[2011,16.45,14.64],[2012,16.61,14.28],[2013,15.33,13.92],[2014,15.56,13.56],[2015,16.64,13.2],[2016,16.66,12.84],[2017,15.99,12.48],[2018,18.29,12.12],[2019,17.12,11.76],{"x":2010,"y":null},{"x":2011,"y":null},{"x":2012,"y":null},{"x":2013,"y":null},{"x":2014,"y":null},{"x":2015,"y":null},{"x":2016,"y":null},{"x":2017,"y":null},{"x":2018,"y":null},{"x":2019,"y":null},{"x":2020,"y":null}],"type":"arearange","className":"nostroke","name":"range","marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":5},{"name":"Incidence rate","data":[{"x":2000,"y":14.08},{"x":2001,"y":15.04},{"x":2002,"y":16.24},{"x":2003,"y":14.46},{"x":2004,"y":14.65},{"x":2005,"y":14.53},{"x":2006,"y":14.76},{"x":2007,"y":14.89},{"x":2008,"y":16.1},{"x":2009,"y":15.03},{"x":2010,"y":17.55},{"x":2011,"y":16.45},{"x":2012,"y":16.61},{"x":2013,"y":15.33},{"x":2014,"y":15.56},{"x":2015,"y":16.64},{"x":2016,"y":16.66},{"x":2017,"y":15.99},{"x":2018,"y":18.29},{"x":2019,"y":17.12},{"x":2020,"y":null}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":0},{"className":"dotted","enableMouseTracking":false,"name":"goal","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":null},{"x":2003,"y":null},{"x":2004,"y":null},{"x":2005,"y":null},{"x":2006,"y":null},{"x":2007,"y":null},{"x":2008,"y":null},{"x":2009,"y":null},{"x":2010,"y":15},{"x":2011,"y":14.64},{"x":2012,"y":14.28},{"x":2013,"y":13.92},{"x":2014,"y":13.56},{"x":2015,"y":13.2},{"x":2016,"y":12.84},{"x":2017,"y":12.48},{"x":2018,"y":12.12},{"x":2019,"y":11.76},{"x":2020,"y":11.4}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":1},{"className":"dashed thin","enableMouseTracking":false,"name":"benchmark","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":null},{"x":2003,"y":null},{"x":2004,"y":null},{"x":2005,"y":null},{"x":2006,"y":15},{"x":2007,"y":15},{"x":2008,"y":15},{"x":2009,"y":15},{"x":2010,"y":15},{"x":2011,"y":15},{"x":2012,"y":15},{"x":2013,"y":15},{"x":2014,"y":15},{"x":2015,"y":15},{"x":2016,"y":15},{"x":2017,"y":15},{"x":2018,"y":15},{"x":2019,"y":15},{"x":2020,"y":15}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":1}],"chart":{"height":422,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":false,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[{"value":2010,"label":{"text":"","y":-5,"x":0,"rotation":0}}],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{},"min":"0"}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":210}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}},{"chartOptions":{"annotations":[{"id":"desktopAnnotations","visible":true,"labelOptions":{"point":{"xAxis":0,"yAxis":0},"shape":"connector","padding":0},"labels":[{"point":{"x":2010,"y":15},"align":"center","text":"(1)
Goal set in 2010 to
reduce rate from
baseline of 15 . . .","y":80,"x":-70},{"point":{"x":2020,"y":11.4},"align":"right","text":"(2)
. . . to 11.4 per
100k by 2020","y":80},{"point":{"x":2019,"y":17.1},"align":"right","text":"(3) Rate by 2019: 17.1","y":-45,"x":15}]}]},"condition":{"maxWidth":659}},{"chartOptions":{"annotations":[{"id":"desktopAnnotations","visible":true,"labelOptions":{"point":{"xAxis":0,"yAxis":0},"shape":"connector","padding":0},"labels":[{"point":{"x":2010,"y":15},"align":"right","text":"(1) The federal government’s Healthy
People initiative set a goal in 2010 to reduce
the rate from the 2006-08 baseline of 15
infections per 100,000 people . . .","y":85,"x":-20},{"point":{"x":2020,"y":11.4},"align":"right","text":"(2) . . . to 11.4 cases per 100,000
people by 2020.","y":80},{"point":{"x":2019,"y":17.1},"align":"right","text":"(3) However, by 2019, the rate had risen to 17.1 cases.","y":-45,"x":30}]}]},"condition":{"minWidth":660}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"400","NominalHeightValue":"75%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"range","Incidence rate","goal","benchmark"],[2000,null,14.08,null,null],[2001,null,15.04,null,null],[2002,null,16.24,null,null],[2003,null,14.46,null,null],[2004,null,14.65,null,null],[2005,null,14.53,null,null],[2006,null,14.76,null,15],[2007,null,14.89,null,15],[2008,null,16.1,null,15],[2009,null,15.03,null,15],[2010,null,17.55,15,15],[2011,null,16.45,14.64,15],[2012,null,16.61,14.28,15],[2013,null,15.33,13.92,15],[2014,null,15.56,13.56,15],[2015,null,16.64,13.2,15],[2016,null,16.66,12.84,15],[2017,null,15.99,12.48,15],[2018,null,18.29,12.12,15],[2019,null,17.12,11.76,15],[2020,null,null,11.4,15]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"Line chart showing the Salmonella incidence rate per 100,000 people from year 2000 to 2020. The minimum is 14.08 case per 100k in 2000; the max is 18.29 in 2018. The chart also shows the gap between the actual case load and the target set by the government. Annotation: The federal government’s Healthy People initiative set a goal in 2010 to reduce the rate from the 2006—2008 baseline of 15 infections per 100,000 people to 11.4 cases per 100,000 people by 2020. However, by 2019, the rate had risen to 17.1 cases.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"Note: Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network data includes infections detected by laboratory tests that involve culturing, or growing, bacteria and <a href=\"https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/04/as-tests-for-foodborne-illness-evolve-disease-tracking-systems-must-adapt\">culture-independent diagnostic</a> methods.","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)","ChartSubtitle":"<em>Salmonella </em>Incidence Rate Per 100,000 People, 2000-19","ColorIndeces":[5,0,1,1],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":210,"OtherResponsive":[{"chartOptions":{"annotations":[{"id":"desktopAnnotations","visible":true,"labelOptions":{"point":{"xAxis":0,"yAxis":0},"shape":"connector","padding":0},"labels":[{"point":{"x":2010,"y":15},"align":"center","text":"(1)
Goal set in 2010 to
reduce rate from
baseline of 15 . . .","y":80,"x":-70},{"point":{"x":2020,"y":11.4},"align":"right","text":"(2)
. . . to 11.4 per
100k by 2020","y":80},{"point":{"x":2019,"y":17.1},"align":"right","text":"(3) Rate by 2019: 17.1","y":-45,"x":15}]}]},"condition":{"maxWidth":659}},{"chartOptions":{"annotations":[{"id":"desktopAnnotations","visible":true,"labelOptions":{"point":{"xAxis":0,"yAxis":0},"shape":"connector","padding":0},"labels":[{"point":{"x":2010,"y":15},"align":"right","text":"(1) The federal government’s Healthy
People initiative set a goal in 2010 to reduce
the rate from the 2006-08 baseline of 15
infections per 100,000 people . . .","y":85,"x":-20},{"point":{"x":2020,"y":11.4},"align":"right","text":"(2) . . . to 11.4 cases per 100,000
people by 2020.","y":80},{"point":{"x":2019,"y":17.1},"align":"right","text":"(3) However, by 2019, the rate had risen to 17.1 cases.","y":-45,"x":30}]}]},"condition":{"minWidth":660}}],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{"series":[{"enableMouseTracking":false,"data":[[2010,17.55,15],[2011,16.45,14.64],[2012,16.61,14.28],[2013,15.33,13.92],[2014,15.56,13.56],[2015,16.64,13.2],[2016,16.66,12.84],[2017,15.99,12.48],[2018,18.29,12.12],[2019,17.12,11.76]],"type":"arearange","className":"nostroke"},{},{"className":"dotted","enableMouseTracking":false},{"className":"dashed thin","enableMouseTracking":false}]}}}
Note: Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network data includes infections detected by laboratory tests that involve culturing, or growing, bacteria and culture-independent diagnostic methods.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)
© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts
Chicken Contamination Shrank by Some Measures
Many varieties of Salmonella persistently challenge chicken and turkey producers because the organisms can thrive in a bird’s digestive tract, so effective control of these pathogens requires multiple interventions. Under FSIS policies, a poultry processor’s efforts to curb contamination are judged by the percentage of product samples that contain any amount or serotype of Salmonella. Against this broad presence-or-absence yardstick, contamination rates have decreased over the past two decades for some types of chicken products. Contamination rates have also declined in chicken breast samples taken from selected retail stores as part of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System for Enteric Bacteria (NARMS).4
Line chart showing the percentage of Salmonella–positive samples at slaughter or retail. Whole chicken carcasses (at slaughter), chicken breast (at retail), and chicken parts (at slaughter) show downward trends. Ground chicken (at slaughter) shows a slight upward trend.
Percentage of Salmonella Positive Samples at Slaughter or Retail, 2000-19
{"highchartsConfig":{"chart":{"height":405,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"series":[{"name":"Whole chicken carcasses","data":[{"x":2000,"y":0.0909},{"x":2001,"y":0.1189},{"x":2002,"y":0.1153},{"x":2003,"y":0.128},{"x":2004,"y":0.1353},{"x":2005,"y":0.1625},{"x":2006,"y":0.1141},{"x":2007,"y":0.0855},{"x":2008,"y":0.0739},{"x":2009,"y":0.0718},{"x":2010,"y":0.0671},{"x":2011,"y":0.0642},{"x":2012,"y":0.0431},{"x":2013,"y":0.0391},{"x":2014,"y":0.0368},{"x":2015,"y":0.0169},{"x":2016,"y":0.0336},{"x":2017,"y":0.0544},{"x":2018,"y":0.053},{"x":2019,"y":0.0462}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":0},{"name":"Chicken parts","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":null},{"x":2003,"y":null},{"x":2004,"y":null},{"x":2005,"y":null},{"x":2006,"y":null},{"x":2007,"y":null},{"x":2008,"y":null},{"x":2009,"y":null},{"x":2010,"y":null},{"x":2011,"y":null},{"x":2012,"y":null},{"x":2013,"y":null},{"x":2014,"y":null},{"x":2015,"y":0.2342},{"x":2016,"y":0.1856},{"x":2017,"y":0.1516},{"x":2018,"y":0.137},{"x":2019,"y":0.0915}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":1},{"name":"Ground chicken","data":[{"x":2000,"y":0.1377},{"x":2001,"y":0.1947},{"x":2002,"y":0.2914},{"x":2003,"y":0.3547},{"x":2004,"y":0.2552},{"x":2005,"y":0.3241},{"x":2006,"y":0.4505},{"x":2007,"y":0.2628},{"x":2008,"y":0.2549},{"x":2009,"y":0.1818},{"x":2010,"y":0.1878},{"x":2011,"y":0.3004},{"x":2012,"y":0.2813},{"x":2013,"y":0.1788},{"x":2014,"y":null},{"x":2015,"y":0.2789},{"x":2016,"y":0.2906},{"x":2017,"y":0.276},{"x":2018,"y":0.2687},{"x":2019,"y":0.2511}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":4},{"name":"Chicken breast at retail","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":0.097},{"x":2003,"y":0.093},{"x":2004,"y":0.134},{"x":2005,"y":0.128},{"x":2006,"y":0.127},{"x":2007,"y":0.092},{"x":2008,"y":0.151},{"x":2009,"y":0.206},{"x":2010,"y":0.13},{"x":2011,"y":0.12},{"x":2012,"y":0.166},{"x":2013,"y":0.125},{"x":2014,"y":0.091},{"x":2015,"y":0.062},{"x":2016,"y":0.044},{"x":2017,"y":0.033},{"x":2018,"y":0.038},{"x":2019,"y":null}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":8}],"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":true,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{},"max":"0.5"}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":400}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"400","NominalHeightValue":"75%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"Whole chicken carcasses","Chicken parts","Ground chicken","Chicken breast at retail"],[2000,0.0909,null,0.1377,null],[2001,0.1189,null,0.1947,null],[2002,0.1153,null,0.2914,0.097],[2003,0.128,null,0.3547,0.093],[2004,0.1353,null,0.2552,0.134],[2005,0.1625,null,0.3241,0.128],[2006,0.1141,null,0.4505,0.127],[2007,0.0855,null,0.2628,0.092],[2008,0.0739,null,0.2549,0.151],[2009,0.0718,null,0.1818,0.206],[2010,0.0671,null,0.1878,0.13],[2011,0.0642,null,0.3004,0.12],[2012,0.0431,null,0.2813,0.166],[2013,0.0391,null,0.1788,0.125],[2014,0.0368,null,null,0.091],[2015,0.0169,0.2342,0.2789,0.062],[2016,0.0336,0.1856,0.2906,0.044],[2017,0.0544,0.1516,0.276,0.033],[2018,0.053,0.137,0.2687,0.038],[2019,0.0462,0.0915,0.2511,null]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"Line chart showing the percentage of Salmonella–positive samples at slaughter or retail. Whole chicken carcasses (at slaughter), chicken breast (at retail), and chicken parts (at slaughter) show downward trends. Ground chicken (at slaughter) shows a slight upward trend.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"Note: The Food Safety and Inspection Service started sampling and testing chicken parts for <em>Salmonella</em> in 2015 as performance standards for this product category were implemented. The agency did not test any ground chicken products in 2014, so no data is available.","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System","ChartSubtitle":"Percentage of <em>Salmonella </em>Positive Samples at Slaughter or Retail, 2000-19","ColorIndeces":[0,1,4,8,4,4,8,8],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","NumberFormat":"percentage","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":400,"OtherResponsive":[],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{}}}
Note: The Food Safety and Inspection Service started sampling and testing chicken parts for Salmonella in 2015 as performance standards for this product category were implemented. The agency did not test any ground chicken products in 2014, so no data is available.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System
© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts
. . . But Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Chicken Have Increased
Despite fewer product samples testing positive for the pathogen, the number of outbreaks associated with chicken products rose from 2000 to 2018.5 Federal estimates for 2019—the latest available—ranked chicken as the food commodity most linked to Salmonella infections, causing 1 in 6 cases. 6 These statistics indicate that FSIS’s current rules don’t adequately reflect and reduce the factors driving public health risks.
The number of Salmonella outbreaks associated with chicken dipped and then rose again between the year 2000 and 2018. Low of 3 in 2009; high of 14 in 2004 and 2018.
Number of Foodborne Outbreaks Associated With Chicken, 2000-18
{"highchartsConfig":{"chart":{"height":322,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"series":[{"name":"Outbreaks","data":[{"x":2000,"y":10},{"x":2001,"y":9},{"x":2002,"y":6},{"x":2003,"y":8},{"x":2004,"y":14},{"x":2005,"y":7},{"x":2006,"y":6},{"x":2007,"y":5},{"x":2008,"y":5},{"x":2009,"y":3},{"x":2010,"y":4},{"x":2011,"y":7},{"x":2012,"y":8},{"x":2013,"y":10},{"x":2014,"y":13},{"x":2015,"y":10},{"x":2016,"y":9},{"x":2017,"y":12},{"x":2018,"y":14}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":0}],"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":false,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{}}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":219}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"350","NominalHeightValue":"56.25%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"Outbreaks"],[2000,10],[2001,9],[2002,6],[2003,8],[2004,14],[2005,7],[2006,6],[2007,5],[2008,5],[2009,3],[2010,4],[2011,7],[2012,8],[2013,10],[2014,13],[2015,10],[2016,9],[2017,12],[2018,14]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"The number of Salmonella outbreaks associated with chicken dipped and then rose again between the year 2000 and 2018. Low of 3 in 2009; high of 14 in 2004 and 2018.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Outbreak Reporting System","ChartSubtitle":"Number of Foodborne Outbreaks Associated With Chicken, 2000-18","ColorIndeces":[0,1,2],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":219,"OtherResponsive":[],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{}}}
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Outbreak Reporting System
© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts
The number of Salmonella illnesses associated with chicken has mostly risen since the year 2000. Low of 35 in 2002; high of 724 in 2013.
Number of Foodborne Illnesses Associated With Chicken, 2000-18
{"highchartsConfig":{"chart":{"height":269,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"series":[{"name":"Illnesses","data":[{"x":2000,"y":78},{"x":2001,"y":119},{"x":2002,"y":35},{"x":2003,"y":118},{"x":2004,"y":353},{"x":2005,"y":218},{"x":2006,"y":232},{"x":2007,"y":55},{"x":2008,"y":93},{"x":2009,"y":63},{"x":2010,"y":53},{"x":2011,"y":545},{"x":2012,"y":283},{"x":2013,"y":724},{"x":2014,"y":250},{"x":2015,"y":72},{"x":2016,"y":316},{"x":2017,"y":324},{"x":2018,"y":505}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":1}],"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":false,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{},"max":"750"}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":219}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"350","NominalHeightValue":"49%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"Illnesses"],[2000,78],[2001,119],[2002,35],[2003,118],[2004,353],[2005,218],[2006,232],[2007,55],[2008,93],[2009,63],[2010,53],[2011,545],[2012,283],[2013,724],[2014,250],[2015,72],[2016,316],[2017,324],[2018,505]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"The number of Salmonella illnesses associated with chicken has mostly risen since the year 2000. Low of 35 in 2002; high of 724 in 2013.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Outbreak Reporting System","ChartSubtitle":"Number of Foodborne Illnesses Associated With Chicken, 2000-18","ColorIndeces":[1,1,2],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":219,"OtherResponsive":[],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{}}}
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Outbreak Reporting System
© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts

“Time has shown that our current policies are not moving us closer to our public health goal. It’s time to rethink our approach.”
Sandra Eskin, Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety U.S. Department of Agriculture
Stronger Rules Needed to Curb Harmful Serotypes
Today’s FSIS regulations don’t effectively incentivize poultry producers to target the Salmonella serotypes of greatest public health importance because reducing the prevalence of any variety—even those that pose little or no risk to people—can count as success. Serotypes of long-standing concern, such as Enteritidis, have not significantly decreased as sources of human infections, and new threats have emerged unchecked. For example, current FSIS rules and producers’ food safety plans failed to contain the spread of Infantis, which contaminated dozens of chicken processing facilities and caused a 32-state outbreak of multidrug-resistant infections in 2019.7
The relative prevalence of the Enteriditis serotype found in Salmonella-positive chicken samples has increased since the year 2000. In ground chicken, for instance, the prevalence has increased from around 10% to 30%.
Enteritidis: Percentage of Salmonella-Positive Samples Containing Serotype, 2000-19
{"highchartsConfig":{"chart":{"height":434,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"series":[{"name":"Whole chicken carcasses","data":[{"x":2000,"y":0.0268},{"x":2001,"y":0.0162},{"x":2002,"y":0.0313},{"x":2003,"y":0.0351},{"x":2004,"y":0.0606},{"x":2005,"y":0.0771},{"x":2006,"y":0.1366},{"x":2007,"y":0.1082},{"x":2008,"y":0.1831},{"x":2009,"y":0.2082},{"x":2010,"y":0.2719},{"x":2011,"y":0.2301},{"x":2012,"y":0.1953},{"x":2013,"y":0.1333},{"x":2014,"y":0.1358},{"x":2015,"y":0.189},{"x":2016,"y":0.139},{"x":2017,"y":0.16},{"x":2018,"y":0.143},{"x":2019,"y":0.126}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":0},{"name":"Chicken parts","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":null},{"x":2003,"y":null},{"x":2004,"y":null},{"x":2005,"y":null},{"x":2006,"y":null},{"x":2007,"y":null},{"x":2008,"y":null},{"x":2009,"y":null},{"x":2010,"y":null},{"x":2011,"y":null},{"x":2012,"y":null},{"x":2013,"y":null},{"x":2014,"y":null},{"x":2015,"y":0.228},{"x":2016,"y":0.271},{"x":2017,"y":0.278},{"x":2018,"y":0.261},{"x":2019,"y":0.261}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":1},{"name":"Ground chicken","data":[{"x":2000,"y":0.0204},{"x":2001,"y":0},{"x":2002,"y":0.048},{"x":2003,"y":0},{"x":2004,"y":0.0707},{"x":2005,"y":0.3191},{"x":2006,"y":0.16},{"x":2007,"y":0.2556},{"x":2008,"y":0.2},{"x":2009,"y":0.2941},{"x":2010,"y":0.3},{"x":2011,"y":0.3608},{"x":2012,"y":0.2868},{"x":2013,"y":0.2716},{"x":2014,"y":null},{"x":2015,"y":0.183},{"x":2016,"y":0.232},{"x":2017,"y":0.194},{"x":2018,"y":0.226},{"x":2019,"y":0.207}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":4},{"name":"Chicken breast at retail","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":0.133},{"x":2003,"y":0.048},{"x":2004,"y":0.019},{"x":2005,"y":0.078},{"x":2006,"y":0.112},{"x":2007,"y":0.131},{"x":2008,"y":0.151},{"x":2009,"y":0.097},{"x":2010,"y":0.164},{"x":2011,"y":0.133},{"x":2012,"y":0.114},{"x":2013,"y":0.12},{"x":2014,"y":0.189},{"x":2015,"y":0.194},{"x":2016,"y":0.241},{"x":2017,"y":0.237},{"x":2018,"y":0.217},{"x":2019,"y":0.129}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":8},{"name":"Chicken cecal samples","data":[{"x":2000,"y":null},{"x":2001,"y":null},{"x":2002,"y":null},{"x":2003,"y":null},{"x":2004,"y":null},{"x":2005,"y":null},{"x":2006,"y":null},{"x":2007,"y":null},{"x":2008,"y":null},{"x":2009,"y":null},{"x":2010,"y":null},{"x":2011,"y":null},{"x":2012,"y":null},{"x":2013,"y":0.109},{"x":2014,"y":0.158},{"x":2015,"y":0.138},{"x":2016,"y":0.224},{"x":2017,"y":0.166},{"x":2018,"y":0.118},{"x":2019,"y":0.229}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":5}],"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":true,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{}}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":402}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"550","NominalHeightValue":"71%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"Whole chicken carcasses","Chicken parts","Ground chicken","Chicken breast at retail","Chicken cecal samples"],[2000,0.0268,null,0.0204,null,null],[2001,0.0162,null,0,null,null],[2002,0.0313,null,0.048,0.133,null],[2003,0.0351,null,0,0.048,null],[2004,0.0606,null,0.0707,0.019,null],[2005,0.0771,null,0.3191,0.078,null],[2006,0.1366,null,0.16,0.112,null],[2007,0.1082,null,0.2556,0.131,null],[2008,0.1831,null,0.2,0.151,null],[2009,0.2082,null,0.2941,0.097,null],[2010,0.2719,null,0.3,0.164,null],[2011,0.2301,null,0.3608,0.133,null],[2012,0.1953,null,0.2868,0.114,null],[2013,0.1333,null,0.2716,0.12,0.109],[2014,0.1358,null,null,0.189,0.158],[2015,0.189,0.228,0.183,0.194,0.138],[2016,0.139,0.271,0.232,0.241,0.224],[2017,0.16,0.278,0.194,0.237,0.166],[2018,0.143,0.261,0.226,0.217,0.118],[2019,0.126,0.261,0.207,0.129,0.229]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"The relative prevalence of the Enteriditis serotype found in Salmonella-positive chicken samples has increased since the year 2000. In ground chicken, for instance, the prevalence has increased from around 10% to 30%.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System","ChartSubtitle":"Enteritidis: Percentage of <em>Salmonella</em>-Positive Samples Containing Serotype, 2000-19","ColorIndeces":[0,1,4,8,5,4,8,8,5,5],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","NumberFormat":"percentage","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":402,"OtherResponsive":[],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{}}}
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System
© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts
The human incidence rate of Salmonella caused by the Enteriditis serotype has increased since the year 2000 from 1.91 cases per 100,000 people to 2.6 in 2019.
Salmonella Enteritidis Incidence Rate Per 100,000 People, 2000-19
{"highchartsConfig":{"chart":{"height":344,"className":"griffin default salmonella ","type":"line","spacingRight":20,"spacingTop":10,"spacingBottom":15,"spacingLeft":10},"series":[{"name":"U.S. incidence per 100000 people","data":[{"x":2000,"y":1.91},{"x":2001,"y":2.04},{"x":2002,"y":2.33},{"x":2003,"y":1.82},{"x":2004,"y":1.98},{"x":2005,"y":2.45},{"x":2006,"y":2.45},{"x":2007,"y":2.36},{"x":2008,"y":2.97},{"x":2009,"y":2.64},{"x":2010,"y":3.53},{"x":2011,"y":3},{"x":2012,"y":2.59},{"x":2013,"y":2.61},{"x":2014,"y":2.94},{"x":2015,"y":2.84},{"x":2016,"y":2.73},{"x":2017,"y":2.71},{"x":2018,"y":2.69},{"x":2019,"y":2.6}],"marker":{"radius":4,"symbol":"circle"},"colorIndex":0}],"plotOptions":{"series":{"dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},"pie":{"startAngle":0}},"legend":{"align":"center","enabled":false,"layout":"horizontal","verticalAlign":"bottom","reversed":false},"xAxis":{"startOfWeek":1,"plotBands":[],"plotLines":[],"categories":null,"title":{"text":""},"reversedStacks":false,"type":"linear","labels":{}},"tooltip":{},"yAxis":[{"labels":{},"title":{},"min":"0"}],"responsive":{"rules":[{"chartOptions":{"chart":{"height":252}},"condition":{"maxWidth":416}}]}},"griffinConfig":{"NominalMinHeight":"400","NominalHeightValue":"59%","ChartWidth":"750","ChartProject":"salmonella","DatatableData":[[null,"U.S. incidence per 100000 people"],[2000,1.91],[2001,2.04],[2002,2.33],[2003,1.82],[2004,1.98],[2005,2.45],[2006,2.45],[2007,2.36],[2008,2.97],[2009,2.64],[2010,3.53],[2011,3],[2012,2.59],[2013,2.61],[2014,2.94],[2015,2.84],[2016,2.73],[2017,2.71],[2018,2.69],[2019,2.6]],"CustomColors":[],"ChartCaption":"","ChartCredit":"© 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts","ChartDescription":"The human incidence rate of Salmonella caused by the Enteriditis serotype has increased since the year 2000 from 1.91 cases per 100,000 people to 2.6 in 2019.","ChartLabel":"","ChartNotes":"Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service, National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System","ChartTitle":"","ChartSources":"","ChartSubtitle":"<em>Salmonella </em>Enteritidis Incidence Rate Per 100,000 People, 2000-19","ColorIndeces":[0,1,2],"DescriptionProxy":"chartDescription","LastLabelOnly":"","SelectedColorPalette":"default","MinHeight":252,"OtherResponsive":[],"PatternColors":[],"LockHeight":true,"CustomSettings":{}}}