What term is used when two or more cases of food-borne illness are reported in an operation?

The term "outbreak" is used when two or more cases of food-borne illness are reported in an operation. This definition is crucial in food safety because it signifies a significant issue that must be addressed to prevent further illness or health risks to consumers. An outbreak indicates that the same source of food or similar circumstances have likely caused multiple people to become ill, thereby necessitating investigations and interventions by health authorities. Understanding this term helps food safety managers recognize the importance of monitoring food handling practices and quickly responding to reports of illness to ensure the safety of the food being served.

Other terms like "incident," "contamination," and "infection" do not capture the same specific situation that involves multiple cases arising from a common source, which is why they aren't used to describe this scenario in the context of food safety.