foodborne
adjective
food·borne
ˈfüd-ˌbȯrn 
variants
or food-borne
: caused by food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms or toxic substances
foodborne illness
Most foodborne outbreaks of norovirus illness are likely to arise though direct contamination of food by a food handler immediately before its consumption.—
Robert Benziker
Robert BenzikerBacteria called campylobacter contaminate most chickens that go to market in the United States, and the bacteria are the most common cause of food-borne illness, bringing on some two million cases of food poisoning in the country annually.—Philip J. Hilts
Philip J. Hilts
also
: relating to or being a microorganism or toxin contaminating food
Anderson and others believe that use of the drugs in healthy animals is playing a role in changing the very nature of foodborne bacteria, creating strains that are resistant to antibiotics used in human medicine. —Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman Listeria is a big problem for makers of ready-to-eat products such as deli meats, soft cheeses and potato salad. The microorganism continues to grow in refrigerated food, making it far harder to control than other types of food-borne pathogens, such as salmonella. —Scott Kilman
Scott Kilman Examples of foodborne in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two leading causes of foodborne illness are eating raw or undercooked foods — and allowing food to remain at an unsafe temperature too long, Lopez said.
—Gretchen Eichenberg, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Each year, Consumer Reports pulls together the top 10 foods linked to the largest recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. While there’s no telling which foods may cause outbreaks in 2025, the report warned of reasons why these foods could be especially risky.2
1.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 27 May 2025
Salmonella infection is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness, and of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 May 2025
In terms of foodborne illness, leafy greens stand alone.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foodborne
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Gretchen Eichenberg, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Each year, Consumer Reports pulls together the top 10 foods linked to the largest recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. While there’s no telling which foods may cause outbreaks in 2025, the report warned of reasons why these foods could be especially risky.2
1.
—Jenna Anderson, Health, 27 May 2025
Salmonella infection is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness, and of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 May 2025
In terms of foodborne illness, leafy greens stand alone.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foodborne
Cite this Entry
“Foodborne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foodborne. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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