FDA claims food safety—but recalls and outbreaks are soaring
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Food safety is something many of us take for granted in our kitchens. However, recent food recalls and outbreaks have raised concerns across the nation.
Despite the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) claims that the U.S. food supply is one of the safest, it's worth asking: Is our food truly as secure as we believe?
The FDA has recently addressed the public's growing unease, citing that while there have been a number of foodborne disease outbreaks, the overall data does not suggest an unusual rise in recalls.
For the fiscal year ending in September, there were 179 high-risk recalls, a slight increase from the previous year's 145, but still lower than the 185 recorded in 2022 and 167 in 2019.
These high-risk recalls include serious concerns such as potential contamination with harmful bacteria or undeclared allergens.
One such recall involved a significant quantity of onions processed by Taylor Farms, suspected of causing a deadly outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers.
The FDA maintains that recalls and advisories are a sign that the food industry and regulatory systems are vigilant and responsive when issues arise.
The FDA spokesperson highlighted a report by The Economist, which ranked the U.S. food supply as “joint first for the food safety indicator in 2022.”
This, they suggest, is evidence of the robustness of the American food safety system.
However, figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paint a slightly different picture.
There has been a marginal increase in “multistate foodborne outbreak notices” this year, with 10 issued compared to nine the previous year.
The most in the past decade was 24 in 2018.
Additionally, infections from foodborne pathogens like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) have risen to at least 13,962 this year, up from around 13,140 last year.
Advancements in laboratory technology, such as faster and more specific testing, may account for some of the increase in reported cases.
Public health departments and doctors have also improved their response to foodborne outbreaks, with more efficient molecular-based panel tests and whole genome sequencing aiding in the investigation process.
Despite these advancements, food safety advocates argue that there is still significant room for improvement.
Sarah Sorscher from the Center for Science in the Public Interest points out that while public health systems have become more adept at solving outbreaks, a large number of foodborne illnesses remain unsolved.
Staffing shortages and breakdowns in food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have also contributed to a decrease in the number of recalls and reported illnesses, potentially masking the true state of food safety.
Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group expresses concern that our food supply is not as safe as it was five years ago, citing the need for common-sense measures such as mandatory testing of irrigation water and more rigorous inspections of food facilities.
In recent news, find out more details about why 160,000 pounds of ground beef were recalled.
Have you been affected by a food recall or outbreak? Do you have tips for keeping your kitchen safe? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.
Despite the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) claims that the U.S. food supply is one of the safest, it's worth asking: Is our food truly as secure as we believe?
The FDA has recently addressed the public's growing unease, citing that while there have been a number of foodborne disease outbreaks, the overall data does not suggest an unusual rise in recalls.
For the fiscal year ending in September, there were 179 high-risk recalls, a slight increase from the previous year's 145, but still lower than the 185 recorded in 2022 and 167 in 2019.
These high-risk recalls include serious concerns such as potential contamination with harmful bacteria or undeclared allergens.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asserts that the American food supply remains “one of the safest in the world” despite recent foodborne disease outbreaks. Image source: Pexels.
One such recall involved a significant quantity of onions processed by Taylor Farms, suspected of causing a deadly outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers.
The FDA maintains that recalls and advisories are a sign that the food industry and regulatory systems are vigilant and responsive when issues arise.
The FDA spokesperson highlighted a report by The Economist, which ranked the U.S. food supply as “joint first for the food safety indicator in 2022.”
This, they suggest, is evidence of the robustness of the American food safety system.
However, figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paint a slightly different picture.
There has been a marginal increase in “multistate foodborne outbreak notices” this year, with 10 issued compared to nine the previous year.
The most in the past decade was 24 in 2018.
Additionally, infections from foodborne pathogens like Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) have risen to at least 13,962 this year, up from around 13,140 last year.
Advancements in laboratory technology, such as faster and more specific testing, may account for some of the increase in reported cases.
Public health departments and doctors have also improved their response to foodborne outbreaks, with more efficient molecular-based panel tests and whole genome sequencing aiding in the investigation process.
Despite these advancements, food safety advocates argue that there is still significant room for improvement.
Sarah Sorscher from the Center for Science in the Public Interest points out that while public health systems have become more adept at solving outbreaks, a large number of foodborne illnesses remain unsolved.
Staffing shortages and breakdowns in food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic have also contributed to a decrease in the number of recalls and reported illnesses, potentially masking the true state of food safety.
Scott Faber of the Environmental Working Group expresses concern that our food supply is not as safe as it was five years ago, citing the need for common-sense measures such as mandatory testing of irrigation water and more rigorous inspections of food facilities.
In recent news, find out more details about why 160,000 pounds of ground beef were recalled.
