Final answer:
Approximately 48 million people in the United States get sick from foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths. An example of a foodborne disease outbreak was the 2020 Salmonella outbreak linked to onions produced in California. Preventing foodborne illnesses requires proper food handling and safety practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foodborne illnesses are a major public health concern in the United States. According to data from the CDC, it is estimated that around 48 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. These illnesses can be caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, and chemicals that contaminate food.
An example of a foodborne disease outbreak in the United States is the Salmonella outbreak in 2020. The outbreak was traced back to onions produced in California, and it infected a total of 1,127 people across 48 states, leading to 167 hospitalizations and no deaths.
Preventing foodborne illnesses requires proper handling, preparation, and storage of food, as well as maintaining food safety practices in restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and summer camps.