The surveillance system for outbreaks of foodborne illness, based on mandatory reporting, makes it possible to track trends in this type of infection.

Data on collective foodborne illnesses reported in France in 2023

In 2023, 2,231 outbreaks of foodborne illness were reported in France, affecting 22,282 people, of whom 549 (2%) sought medical care (hospitalization or emergency room visits) and 19 (0.1%) died.

The number of reported foodborne outbreaks in 2023 is the highest recorded since surveillance began in 1987. It surpassed the previous record set in 2022 (1,924 reported foodborne outbreaks).

As in previous years, the most frequently confirmed pathogen was Salmonella, accounting for 31% of foodborne illness cases with a confirmed pathogen (42% in 2022). The pathogens most commonly suspected based on epidemiological and clinical information, but not confirmed microbiologically, were the toxin-producing bacteria Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens, accounting for 70% of foodborne illness cases for which a pathogen was suspected (73% in 2022). For 12% of reported foodborne illnesses, no pathogen could be identified or suspected based on epidemiological and clinical information (15% in 2022).

In 2023, 597 corrective measures were taken (staff information/training, facility disinfection, requests for repairs, facility closures, and food seizures) following foodborne illnesses occurring in institutional or commercial food service settings (accounting for 45% of all such foodborne illnesses).