What information is not important to collect if a foodborne illness outbreak is suspected?

The correct choice focuses on the fact that while understanding the specifics of an outbreak is crucial, details such as how much a customer paid for their meal do not directly contribute to identifying or mitigating a foodborne illness outbreak. When an outbreak is suspected, information that helps trace the source of the illness and understand the impact on health is prioritized.

Collecting general contact information, the time and date symptoms began, and the foods consumed, along with any symptoms experienced, is essential for public health officials to track the outbreak's origin, determine the cause, and take appropriate actions to prevent further cases. Financial aspects of the meal transaction, while possibly beneficial for record-keeping or customer service purposes, do not assist in the epidemiological investigation of foodborne illness outbreaks.