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
Individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of foodborne illness or allergies should contact a physician immediately.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness, that can cause listeriosis, which primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup has been recalled due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 20 June 2025
A number of bacteria can also cause foodborne illness.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foodborne
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Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness, that can cause listeriosis, which primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 3 July 2025
Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup has been recalled due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 20 June 2025
A number of bacteria can also cause foodborne illness.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 13 June 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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