E. coli, Salmonella, Cyclospora: Is the U.S. Seeing a Surge in Foodborne Illnesses?

This summer, it’s been hard for consumers to know what to put in their grocery cart. Recalls have affected hundreds of products, including lettuce, which was linked to a Cyclospora outbreak; eggs and jalapenos that were connected with salmonella; and blueberries that were potentially contaminated with E. coli.These incidents have left shoppers across the United States wondering whether this summer has been a particularly bad one for foodborne illnesses.Here’s what to know—and why consumers may be perceiving a greater number of outbreaks than usual, despite what the data shows.The number of food recalls are about average, but a few have been unusually severeAccording to federal data, the number of food recalls regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is relatively on par with an average year. So far, there have been 483 recalls in this fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026), with a projected total of 551 by the end of October. In the past decade, the U.S. has seen a range of 400-800 annual recalls. But what stands out in 2026 is the severity of some of the outbreaks caused by contaminated food this year.“I don't know that I would necessarily say there are ...