The reporting of foodborne illness outbreaks, which is mandatory, enables public health inspectors from the Departmental Directorates of Health and Social Affairs and veterinary inspectors from the departmental veterinary services to conduct epidemiological and veterinary investigations aimed at identifying the foods responsible and the contributing factors, in order to take specific measures to prevent recurrence. The number of foodborne illness reports submitted through the DO system has risen steadily over the past three years (+5% between 1995 and 1996, 15% between 1996 and 1997, and +38% between 1997 and 1998). However, a comparison of the geographic distribution of outbreaks reported in the DO system and by the CNR, and the discovery of unreported foodborne illness outbreaks during epidemic investigations, shows that there is significant underreporting. Salmonella remains the leading cause of reported foodborne illnesses, and its etiological share among outbreaks where the agent was confirmed remains stable. The Enteridis serotype remains predominant, and the number of Salmonella Typhimurium outbreaks remained stable in 1998 following the increase in the number of outbreaks observed in 1997. In 1998, this serotype was responsible for several outbreaks of salmonellosis that occurred in school settings and were attributed to the consumption of ground beef patties. Ground beef is a well-documented source of salmonellosis in industrialized countries.