list of foodborne illness outbreaks list of foodborne illness outbreaks this is a list of foodborne illness outbreaks. a foodborne illness may be from an infectious disease, heavy metals, chemical contamination, or from natural toxins, such as those found in poisonous mushrooms. deadliest list of foodborne illness outbreaks by death toll canada 2008 canada listeriosis outbreak china 2008 chinese milk scandal germany 2011 escherichia coli o104:h4 outbreak japan minamata disease niigata minamata disease 1996 japan e. coli o157:h7 spain 1981 toxic oil syndrome united kingdom 2005 outbreak of e.coli o157 in south wales 1996 outbreak of e. coli o157 in lanarkshire, scotland loch maree hotel botulism poisoning united states main article: list of foodborne illness outbreaks in the united states in 1999, an estimated 5,000 deaths, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 76 million illnesses were caused by foodborne illnesses within the us. illness outbreaks lead to food recalls.