Key points
- There is at least one PulseNet laboratory in every state
- PulseNet uses DNA fingerprinting to identify the bacteria making people sick
- CDC has been able to prevent foodborne outbreaks and improve food safety systems
How it impacts lives
Foodborne outbreak detection by PulseNet has led to safer production practices for many foods such as:
- Beef
- Leafy Greens
- Peanut products
- Sprouts
- Ready-to-eat foods
- Poultry
- Flour
- And more!
Over 1 billion pounds of contaminated foods have been recalled thanks to PulseNet, saving lives, time, and money!
Program priorities
PulseNet monitors and detects outbreaks for these foodborne illness causing bacteria:
- Campylobacter
- Cronobacter
- Escherichia coli O157 and other Shiga-toxin producing E. coli
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Vibrio cholerae
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Clostridium botulinum, which causes the foodborne illness Botulism, is considered a Select Agent and is not currently monitored by PulseNet.