Until recently, the collection of epidemiological data necessary for implementing a public health policy that combines outbreak control with the prevention of sporadic cases was limited to more or less comprehensive epidemiological surveillance of major foodborne infections (detecting outbreaks, identifying changes in trends, and helping to evaluate the measures taken). However, this systematic and continuous collection only captured broad trends, often lacked the sensitivity to detect community outbreaks early, and, above all, underestimated and sometimes even overlooked sporadic cases—which are by far the most numerous (Campylobacter infections, for example). Thus, the actual burden in terms of morbidity, mortality, and economic and social consequences was not assessed. Growing public awareness of the issue has highlighted the need for additional epidemiological data, leading to the implementation in recent years of large-scale population studies (active surveillance, population cohorts) combined with analytical studies in the United States (the Foodnet project) and in certain European countries (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, etc.). In parallel with the implementation of these studies, the surveillance and detection of clusters of cases have improved significantly thanks to advances in research on microbiological typing tools and systems, which have become more discriminatory, particularly those based on molecular techniques. Their validation and subsequent routine use allow for earlier identification of bacteria with clonal spread. The addition of automatic detection algorithms (epidemic thresholds) to databases has also reduced detection times. Furthermore, surveillance has become a European effort, allowing for the detection of previously unknown phenomena through the "pooling" of national data. To improve the prevention of sporadic cases, the use of analytical epidemiology is becoming increasingly common and provides a better understanding of risk factors. Microbiological risk analysis of food, to meet the need for expertise, requires significant methodological development and the collection of new data. Finally, a broader approach to public health research is also necessary, particularly regarding the social perception of risk and the cost-effectiveness of the measures taken.