CDC: E. Coli Food Poisonings Fell in 2009

Health officials say Americans suffered a bit less food poisoning last year.

There were significant drops in infections from shigella and the most dangerous form of E. coli.

But overall food poisoning rates have been flat now for more than five years.

Rates of food-borne illnesses fell more dramatically from the mid-1990s until the early 2000s. That was due mainly to improvements in the meat and poultry industries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the report Thursday.

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On the Web

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr