The cyclospora outbreak,which sickened more than 600 people this year, was the number one foodborne outbreak of 2013, according to the website Food Safety News (FSN).

The website compiled a list of 10 of the biggest U.S. outbreaks in 2013 and I had the opportunity to talk to the publisher of FSN and Managing Partner at the Food Safety Law Firm, Marler Clark, Bill Marler on Monday about some of the outbreaks and to have him give a clearer understanding of food safety law (Listen below).



Mr. Marler gave me his thoughts on how preventable the Hepatitis A from Townsend Farms frozen organic berries was, which sickened some 162 people. In addition, we discussed the Salmonella outbreak from Foster Farms chicken that sickened over 400 and is still ongoing.

At least 162 people have been hospitalized after likely undercooking the contaminated raw chicken or handling it in a way that lead to accidental cross-contamination. Who’s to blame? Some blame the consumer, others blame the company, Marler gives his perspective on that issue.

The Top 10 Infectious Disease and Outbreak News stories of 2013

I also asked the “E. coli Attorney” to explain the chain of events on how his firm decides what cases to take, who to sue and the operations of a food safety law firm.

Marler discussed what was behind his recent post on Marler Blog– “My 5,000th Blog Post – Ode to the Beef Industry” , which sheds some light the history of Marler Clark and the work they do and gives props to the beef industry.

For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page and the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show page.

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