New food safety concerns associated with gut microbiota

•Foodborne illnesses are serious public health issues.•Diets influence the composition of gut microbiota.•The expansion of food market leads to the diffusion of intestinal microbiota.•There exists new diet-derived health concerns associated with gut microbiota.

Foodborne illnesses are among the most serious and costly public health problems. Increasing data suggest the existence of new diet-derived health concerns associated with gut microbiota, and prompt us to revolutionize the way we view modern food safety. This opinion paper focuses on some important issues about gut microbiota and food safety.