CDC Reports 10 Salmonella Outbreaks in 2026

As of August 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 10 outbreaks related to salmonella, linked to a variety of sources including jalapeno peppers, backyard poultry, shell eggs, moringa leaf powder, and reptiles like turtles and bearded dragons. According to PBS News Hour and UPI, other recent outbreaks have been associated with home-delivery meals, dry dog food, cantaloupe, cucumbers, diced onions, alfalfa sprouts, basil, flour, raw cookie dough, fish, ground beef, charcuterie meat, pistachio cream, and peanut butter.

While it may seem like there have been more salmonella outbreaks in 2026 compared to previous years, CDC reporting shows that the number of outbreaks has remained similar over the past five years. However, as reported by PBS News Hour and UPI, drastic cuts to federal public health agencies under the Trump administration have raised concerns about increased risks of serious illness due to reduced oversight of food production and handling.

Salmonella is the second-most common foodborne illness in the world. In the U.S., it infects approximately 1.35 million people each year, leading to about 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths annually, according to PBS News Hour and The Conversation. These figures may underestimate the true number of infections as many people recover within a few days without seeking medical attention or reporting their illness.

Kimberly Baker, team director of the Food Systems and Safety Program at Clemson University, emphasizes that everyone plays a role in preventing salmonella spread. The bacterium primarily originates in the intestinal tracts of people and animals but can contaminate anything it comes into contact with under suitable environmental conditions. It can survive in water for several weeks and in soil or food for years, thriving optimally between 95 to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 37 degrees Celsius) but capable of surviving in much broader ranges.

To reduce the risk of salmonella infection, Baker advises proper hand-washing after using the restroom, before eating or preparing food, and after handling animals or contaminated surfaces. She also recommends cooking foods to their required internal temperatures, keeping raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods, and cleaning and sanitizing all food contact surfaces. Additionally, caution should be exercised when swimming in natural bodies of water to avoid ingesting contaminated water.