Features
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These CDC Features and related stories give consumers information they need to protect themselves and their families from illnesses that can come from germs in food, water, and other places. They also highlight CDC’s role in detecting and responding to outbreaks, tracking trends in illnesses, and providing important health and safety information to the public.
Food Safety
Foods and Germs
Prevent Food Poisoning (English | Español)
Anybody can get food poisoning, but some people are more likely to get seriously ill.
Antibiotic Resistance, Food, and Food-Producing Animals
More than 400,000 Americans get sick every year from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant foodborne bacteria, according to CDC estimates.
Be Food Safe: Protect Yourself from Food Poisoning (English | Español)
Anybody can get food poisoning, but most people don’t think about food safety until they or someone they know gets sick after eating contaminated food.
Anybody can get food poisoning, but most people don’t think about food safety until they or someone they know gets sick after eating contaminated food.
Gear Up For Food Safety
Use these tools and tips to help prevent food poisoning.
Use these tools and tips to help prevent food poisoning.
Fruit and Vegetable Safety
Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables provides important health benefits when you select and prepare them safely.
Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables provides important health benefits when you select and prepare them safely.
Global Networks Make Food Safer
Foodborne diseases are preventable, yet they commonly cause illness, disability, and death worldwide. Find out how CDC and global partners are providing countries with tools and training to make food safer to eat.
Foodborne diseases are preventable, yet they commonly cause illness, disability, and death worldwide. Find out how CDC and global partners are providing countries with tools and training to make food safer to eat.
Home Canning and Botulism (English | Español)
Home canning is an excellent way to preserve garden produce and share it with family and friends, but it can be risky or even deadly if not done correctly and safely.
Home canning is an excellent way to preserve garden produce and share it with family and friends, but it can be risky or even deadly if not done correctly and safely.
Prevent Illness from Clostridium Perfringens
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. Learn more about how to prevent illness from this germ.
Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. Learn more about how to prevent illness from this germ.
Prevent the Spread of Norovirus (English | Español)
Norovirus causes many people to become ill with vomiting and diarrhea each year. You can help protect yourself and others by washing your hands often and following simple tips to stay healthy.
Norovirus causes many people to become ill with vomiting and diarrhea each year. You can help protect yourself and others by washing your hands often and following simple tips to stay healthy.
Raw (Unpasteurized) Milk (English | Español)
Raw milk can carry harmful germs that can make you very sick or kill you. If you’re thinking about drinking raw milk because you believe it has health benefits, consider other options.
Raw milk can carry harmful germs that can make you very sick or kill you. If you’re thinking about drinking raw milk because you believe it has health benefits, consider other options.
Salmonella and Food
You may know that Salmonella can contaminate poultry and eggs but it also sneaks its way into many other foods – ground beef, tuna, pork, tomatoes, sprouts, and even peanut butter. Learn what you can do to make your food safer to eat.
You may know that Salmonella can contaminate poultry and eggs but it also sneaks its way into many other foods – ground beef, tuna, pork, tomatoes, sprouts, and even peanut butter. Learn what you can do to make your food safer to eat.
Salmonella and Eggs (English | Español)
Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious and economical foods. However, they also carry a significant risk of carrying Salmonella if not handled or cooked correctly. Learn how to reduce the risks of a Salmonella infection from eggs.
Eggs are one of nature’s most nutritious and economical foods. However, they also carry a significant risk of carrying Salmonella if not handled or cooked correctly. Learn how to reduce the risks of a Salmonella infection from eggs.
Say No to Raw Dough!
For many people, the holiday season is the perfect time to spend time together in the kitchen and share delicious baked foods and desserts. Follow these safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy when handling raw dough..
For many people, the holiday season is the perfect time to spend time together in the kitchen and share delicious baked foods and desserts. Follow these safety tips to help you and your loved ones stay healthy when handling raw dough..
Shiga Toxin-Producing E.coli and Food Safety (English | Español)
Although most kinds of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Learn about E. coli and what you can do to help lower the risk of infection.
Although most kinds of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Learn about E. coli and what you can do to help lower the risk of infection.
Oysters and Vibriosis (English | Español)
Raw oysters can ruin your summer. That’s because you can get very sick from eating raw oysters. Learn about vibriosis, a disease linked to raw oysters
Raw oysters can ruin your summer. That’s because you can get very sick from eating raw oysters. Learn about vibriosis, a disease linked to raw oysters
Seasons, Holidays, and Events
12 Ways to Have a Healthy Holiday Season (English | Español)
Pay special attention to your health and be safe this holiday season. Tips # 1 and 11 give helpful information on how to practice handwashing and food preparation during the holiday season.
Pay special attention to your health and be safe this holiday season. Tips # 1 and 11 give helpful information on how to practice handwashing and food preparation during the holiday season.
14 Tips for a Healthy Valentine’s Dinner
Whether you’re dining out or staying in for Valentine’s Day, follow these tips for a romantic and safe Valentine’s dinner.
Whether you’re dining out or staying in for Valentine’s Day, follow these tips for a romantic and safe Valentine’s dinner.
Food Safety at Fairs and Festivals (English | Español)
A fun summer activity is attending fairs, festivals, carnivals, and rodeos. Follow these tips to have safe cooking, eating, and drinking experiences at those events.
A fun summer activity is attending fairs, festivals, carnivals, and rodeos. Follow these tips to have safe cooking, eating, and drinking experiences at those events.
Food Safety Tips for Your Holiday Turkey
Food handling errors and inadequate cooking are the most common problems that lead to poultry-associated foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Follow these four food safety tips to help you safely prepare your next holiday turkey meal.
Food handling errors and inadequate cooking are the most common problems that lead to poultry-associated foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Follow these four food safety tips to help you safely prepare your next holiday turkey meal.
Food Safety Tips for the Holidays
Follow these simple tips to keep safe from food poisoning, or foodborne illness, during the holidays.
Follow these simple tips to keep safe from food poisoning, or foodborne illness, during the holidays.
Game Day Food Safety Tips
Tackling a buffet at your Super Bowl gathering? Practice these game rules and keep the runs on the field.
Tackling a buffet at your Super Bowl gathering? Practice these game rules and keep the runs on the field.
Preparing Chitlins Safely
Chitlins are a traditional Southern food served during winter holidays. If you’re getting ready to cook chitlins, sometimes called chitterlings, it’s important to handle and cook these pork intestines the right way.
Chitlins are a traditional Southern food served during winter holidays. If you’re getting ready to cook chitlins, sometimes called chitterlings, it’s important to handle and cook these pork intestines the right way.
Pregnant Women and Infants
Learn About Cronobacter Infection (English | Spanish)
Cronobacter is a germ found naturally in the environment that can survive in very dry conditions. Cronobacter has been found in dry foods, such as powdered infant formula, powdered milk, herbal teas, and starches.
Prevent Infections During Pregnancy (English | Spanish)
If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, there are simple steps you can take to protect your fetus or newborn from infections that cause serious health problems.
Data and Statistics
PulseNet and Foodborne Disease Outbreak Detection
PulseNet connects similar cases of foodborne illness together, quickly finding outbreaks, and linking these illnesses across states and countries. Read more about PulseNet’s research and latest findings.
Healthy Water
Handwashing
Wash Your Hands (English | Español)
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.
Contact Lens Wear
Healthy Contact Lens Wear
When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for the more than 40 million people in the U.S. who wear them. While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free—especially if they are not cared for properly.
When cared for properly, contact lenses can provide a comfortable and convenient way to work, play, and live for the more than 40 million people in the U.S. who wear them. While contact lenses are usually a safe and effective form of vision correction, they are not entirely risk-free—especially if they are not cared for properly.
Water-Related
Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.
Drinking Water Week
Water is the foundation for life. Learn more about the vital role safe water plays in our lives and what CDC is doing to address challenges to our water supply.
Water is the foundation for life. Learn more about the vital role safe water plays in our lives and what CDC is doing to address challenges to our water supply.
Global Handwashing Day
Global Handwashing Day is a way to support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap, shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country, and raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.
Global Handwashing Day is a way to support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap, shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country, and raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.
Ground Water Awareness Week
Much of the water we use comes from the ground. Learn more about ground water, the threats to its safety and how to protect your own ground water sources during Ground Water Awareness Week.
Much of the water we use comes from the ground. Learn more about ground water, the threats to its safety and how to protect your own ground water sources during Ground Water Awareness Week.
Harmful Algal Bloom
Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins that are dangerous to people, animals, and the environment.
Harmful algal blooms can produce toxins that are dangerous to people, animals, and the environment.
Healthy and Safe Swimming Week (English | Spanish)
Pools, waterparks, hot tubs/spas, and water playgrounds are great places to have fun, be active, or just relax. Learn how to stay healthy and safe when in the water this summer!
Pools, waterparks, hot tubs/spas, and water playgrounds are great places to have fun, be active, or just relax. Learn how to stay healthy and safe when in the water this summer!
World Water Day
Each year on March 22, World Water Day attracts international attention to the conservation and development of freshwater resources.
Each year on March 22, World Water Day attracts international attention to the conservation and development of freshwater resources.
Backyard Flocks
Keeping Backyard Poultry (English | Español)
Live poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, often carry harmful germs such as Salmonella. After you touch a bird, or anything in the area where they live and roam, wash your hands so you don’t get sick!
Fungal Infections
Fungal Infections – 10 Questions to Protect Your Health
Have you wondered about your risk for fungal infection? CDC provides you with 10 questions you can use to understand fungal infections, assess your risk, and stay healthy.
Have you wondered about your risk for fungal infection? CDC provides you with 10 questions you can use to understand fungal infections, assess your risk, and stay healthy.
Valley Fever Awareness
Valley fever is a fungal respiratory disease that can be devastating. Learning about valley fever can help you and your doctor recognize the symptoms early.
Valley fever is a fungal respiratory disease that can be devastating. Learning about valley fever can help you and your doctor recognize the symptoms early.
Outbreaks
Solve Foodborne Outbreaks
Did you know you can help disease detectives detect and solve foodborne disease outbreaks? Learn some ways you can help protect others from getting sick.
Did you know you can help disease detectives detect and solve foodborne disease outbreaks? Learn some ways you can help protect others from getting sick.
- Page last reviewed: January 18, 2017
- Page last updated: September 6, 2017
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