The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made available on the internet the second edition of the Bad Bug Book, a handbook of basic information about foodborne bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions, and naturally occurring toxins. In addition to updated scientific information, the book includes five new chapters (on Cronobacter, Enterococcus, Francisella tularensis, phytohaemagglutinin, and venomous fish).
Although the book is intended primarily for scientific and technical readers, each chapter now also includes a separate section for consumers. The consumer sections are written in everyday language and focus on food safety, including tips on how to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
The second edition of the Bad Bug Book is available on the FDA web site.