FDA Reviewed 69 Food Safety Incidents During 2025
The federal agency tracked outbreaks and issued 11 public health advisories to inform consumers about foodborne risks.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Nutrition
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The FDA published its 2025 report on Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, & Emergency Preparedness (CORE+EP) activities. Throughout the year, the agency evaluated 69 food safety incidents, ranging from bacterial outbreaks to product-specific risks.
Why it matters
By tracking outbreaks and issuing public health advisories, the FDA provides the necessary information for consumers to avoid contaminated products and reduce the risk of illness. These reports highlight how federal investigators monitor the safety of the food supply in the United States.
Official FDA data shows that while teams evaluated 69 incidents in 2025, that figure remains lower than the historical high of 137 evaluated in 2013. The report accounts for both large-scale investigations and specific adverse event analyses.
The players
FDA
The federal regulatory body responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human food and medical products.
CORE+EP
The Coordinated Outbreak Response, Evaluation, & Emergency Preparedness network, which manages FDA investigations into foodborne outbreaks.
The details
The CORE+EP network relies on two primary branches: the Signals and Surveillance Team and Response Teams. The surveillance team monitors data to detect potential foodborne illnesses, while response teams coordinate agency actions when an outbreak is linked to an FDA-regulated product. This systematic approach allows the agency to address diverse threats, such as Salmonella in cucumbers, Listeria in prepared meals, and infant botulism linked to formula.
Timeline
The CORE Network was established in 2011.
The network evaluated 137 incidents during 2013.
The CORE Network expanded to include emergency preparedness in October 2024.
The FDA evaluated 69 incidents during 2025.
The FDA published the 2025 activity report on October 7, 2026.
Health Landscape
The FDA CORE+EP network represents a specialized evolution in federal food safety, moving from reactive response to a combined model of surveillance and emergency preparedness. It operates as the primary national infrastructure for managing outbreaks that affect the domestic food supply.
Public health advisories are the most direct tool the FDA uses to share actionable safety information during an outbreak. If you are concerned about specific food alerts, discuss current food safety guidelines with your physician or local health department.
The takeaway
The FDA consistently monitors hundreds of food safety incidents to identify and contain potential health threats. Consumers can stay protected by staying informed about official public health advisories related to their food purchases.
Further reading
For more on federal food safety standards and updates, visit Nutrition.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food Safety News.
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