Food Surveillance System

A foodborne-disease surveillance system tracks information on illnesses, gathers
information to identify outbreaks (two or more illnesses linked to a single hazard), links
outbreaks to food sources, and traces the food identified in the outbreak back to its
origins.

The first evidence of contamination of food will likely be found through the surveillance
system. An effective surveillance system is one that identifies foodborne-illness
outbreaks while there is still time to remove the contaminated food from the market and
prevent illnesses. This is especially true for incidents involving food that has been
intentionally contaminated.

The public should have the right to information emerging from the surveillance systems, 
including all data to support: 

• Annual foodborne disease incidence trends. 
• Identification of susceptible population groups. 
• Identification of hazardous foods. 
• Results of routine sampling and analysis of food products. 
• Identification and tracing of causes of foodborne disease from the farm to 
• the kitchen. 
• Early alerts for outbreaks and food contamination.