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

Bacteria 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

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

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

Examples of foodborne in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Summer temperatures increase the risk of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. —Sarah Anzlovar, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025

Any contact between those can transfer foodborne bacteria. —Miami Herald, 14 July 2025

Listeria poisoning symptoms Listeria poisoning is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium listeria monocytogenes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 21 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foodborne

• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn
• forsworn

Kids Definition

foodborne

adjective

food·​borne

ˈfüd-ˌbō(ə)rn,

-ˌbȯ(ə)rn

: caused by food contaminated with harmful microorganisms or toxic substances