How many people must have the same symptoms to be classified as a foodborne illness outbreak?

A foodborne illness outbreak is defined when two or more people experience similar symptoms after consuming the same food. This threshold is set because one person's illness might not be sufficient to establish a connection to a specific food item, as it could result from a variety of factors unrelated to food safety. When at least two people report symptoms after eating the same food, it indicates a higher likelihood that the food may be contaminated or unsafe, thus warranting further investigation to identify the source and prevent additional cases. This statistical criteria is crucial for public health agencies in monitoring and responding to foodborne illnesses effectively.