FDA Releases CORE 2023 Annual Report

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network released its annual report summarizing the investigations of foodborne outbreaks and adverse events in FDA-regulated human foods for the 2023 calendar year. 

The FDA’s CORE Network was established in 2011 with the mission to find, stop and aid in the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. This is accomplished through disease surveillance, outbreak response, post-response activities and collaboration with CDC, state and local public health agencies and international public health partners. Every year, CORE evaluates and responds to numerous foodborne outbreaks and adverse events linked to FDA-regulated products.  

In 2023, CORE evaluated 69 incidents, responded to 25 and issued advisories for 10. These numbers remain similar to recent years, according to the agency, with 65 incidents evaluated, 28 responses and 11 advisories issued in 2022. CORE investigations resulted in numerous public health actions, including recalls, public health advisories, a warning letter, FDA prevention strategies and country-wide import alerts. These are further described in the report.

The 2023 annual report highlights a few noteworthy outbreaks: illnesses linked to toxins from morel mushrooms, lead linked to cinnamon in applesauce pouches and Listeria monocytogenes linked to soft serve ice cream cups.