The chart represents the top five foodborne pathogens. Most foodborne pathogens can be transmitted not only by food, but also environmental sources like surfaces or water, and would be less of an issue if basic sanitary measures (like hand-washing) and proper food handling, storage and preparation steps were followed. The chart below represents the top five foodborne pathogens:
Pathogen | Estimated number of illnesses |
Norovirus | 5,461,731 |
Salmonella, nontyphoidal | 1,027,561 |
Clostridium perfringens | 965,958 |
Campylobacter spp. | 845,024 |
Staphylococcus aureus | 241,148 |