US foodborne illnesses and deaths are on the rise
In the US, millions of pounds of food, including chicken, pasta, and eggs have been recalled in recent months. The United States Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) reported the troubling news that, in 2024, the number of hospitalizations and deaths linked to contaminated foods were higher than the previous year.
The three primary causes of food recalls last year were undeclared allergens, Listeria, and Salmonella, respectively. The symptoms are most unpleasant, including fever, nausea, and diarrhea, while the elderly, immunocompromised, and young children are at higher risk for serious infection.
Experts warned of public health risks when the Trump Administration eliminated two food safety committees—the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) and the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI).
Says Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, “The termination of these two important advisory committees is very alarming and should serve as a warning to consumers that food safety will not be a priority at USDA in the foreseeable future.”
What can we do to protect ourselves and our families from contaminated foods? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the USDA have web pages dedicated to alerting consumers about recalls and outbreaks of foodborne illnesses that should be routinely monitored.
Risks of foodborne illness at home can be reduced by practicing proper food handling, including thorough and frequent washing of hands, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and following refrigeration and freezing protocols.
You can learn more about the consumer protection and food recall web pages, and more about safeguarding your kitchen in this article from Food and Wine:
https://www.foodandwine.com/foodborne-illness-increasing-11712085
Details regarding the Trump administration’s dismantling of food safety committees can be read here:
https://www.foodandwine.com/trump-administration-eliminates-usda-food-sa...
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Evangel
Thank you for posting this important information. Produce is particularly at risk now with shortages of farm workers. At Sprouts, it's difficult to find a healthy-looking head of romaine, and last week's bag of avocados had to be returned due to some sort of rot.
Food safety is clearly a non-issue to the men who now run our country. It may be part of the overall plan to make America great again by reducing the "burden" of elderly and immunocompromised populations who depend on social benefits.