How many people must display the same symptoms to be classified as a foodborne illness outbreak?

To classify an incident as a foodborne illness outbreak, it is necessary for at least two people to present the same symptoms after consuming the same food or beverage. This criterion establishes a pattern suggesting that the illness could be linked to a common source, indicating that it is not an isolated case but rather an event that can be investigated further for public health concerns.

Having just one individual with symptoms would not suffice to classify the situation as an outbreak, as it might be merely a case of foodborne illness that is unrelated to other incidents. The threshold of two individuals helps health authorities determine if further action is required to prevent additional cases and to identify the source of the illness. This standard is crucial for understanding the scope of the problem and implementing necessary interventions.