Factbox: Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An outbreak of salmonella linked to eggs has sickened almost 300 people in at least 10 states and led to the recall of more than half a billion eggs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Monday that more eggs may be recalled, and that it did not yet know how the eggs and chickens became contaminated.

Following is a list of several high-profile outbreaks of food-borne illness in the United States:

* Salami and Sausage Products

In January, 2010, Daniele International Inc of Mapleville, Rhode Island, recalled 1.26 million pounds of sausage and salami products after an investigation of a of a multi-state outbreak of salmonella. The company recalled another 115,000 pounds of salami and salami products in February due to possible salmonella contamination.

* Ground Beef

Nearly 826,000 pounds (375,000 kg) of ground beef was recalled in 12 states in August 2009 after at least 27 people, most in Colorado, were sickened by salmonella.

* Pistachios

Setton Pistachio, the second-largest pistachio processor in the United States, issued a nationwide recall of pistachios in March 2009 after Kraft Foods Inc, one of its customers, told U.S. health regulators that its Back To Nature trail mix was contaminated with salmonella and identified Setton as the source.

* Peanuts and Peanut Products

A salmonella outbreak linked to products shipped from Peanut Corporation of America sickened at least 575 people beginning in January 2009 and led to recalls of 1,790 potentially tainted foods ranging from ice cream to pet treats.

An outbreak of salmonella in 2007 was linked to Peter Pan brand peanut butter. ConAgra Foods Inc closed a Georgia plant after more than 300 people became ill in that outbreak.

* Peppers

An unusual strain of salmonella carried by jalepeno and serrano peppers from Mexico sickened more than 1,400 people from April to August 2007 and put 286 in the hospital.

* Spinach

An e. coli epidemic traced to California spinach killed three people in 2006 and sickened 199 people in 26 states.

(Compiled by Martinne Geller)