What does the term "foodborne outbreak" mean?

The term "foodborne outbreak" refers specifically to an incident where two or more individuals become ill after consuming the same contaminated food. This definition is crucial as it highlights the importance of identifying a common source of contamination, which can help in both preventing further cases and in conducting investigations.

When multiple people are affected by the same food item, it indicates a potential widespread issue that can have serious public health implications. Such outbreaks can lead to investigations by health authorities to trace the source of contamination, implement safety measures, and protect the public from similar occurrences in the future.

The other options focus on singular instances of illness or expired food items, which do not encompass the collaborative nature of an outbreak. Outbreaks are typically examined and reported to understand patterns in food safety, making the definition of having two or more cases vital for effective public health monitoring and response.