CLEVELAND — The number of outbreaks from foodborne illnesses across the country is on the rise.
The CDC says 120 Americans were killed last year and more than 25,000 got sick.
In fact right now, Ohio has more reported cases from a salmonella outbreak stemming from pre-cut melon sold in stores than any other state.
The majority of infections linked to that fruit began between mid-March and the beginning of April.
Thirty one Ohioans reported salmonella-related illnesses and there may be more.
The pre-cut watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe were supplied by a company in Indianapolis and was sold at stores including Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods Market across sixteen states.
Ohio is now also part of an E. Coli outbreak stemming from ground beef that’s sickened more than 150 people across the country so far.
Investigators are still trying to figure out where the tainted meat came from.
Last year, nearly 700 people got sick at a Chipotle in Powell.
A bacteria found in meat and pre-cooked food left at unsafe temperatures was found to be the cause, and just yesterday, Chipotle announced its been subpoenaed by U.S. federal prosecutors for more information on that outbreak.
Foodborne illness results in healthcare costs of $3 billion.
Experts say these reports bring focus to the problems of the food system and that as food sourcing goes global and food comes from different places, its harder to trace where that problem first started.
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