Useful Resources
Foodborne Illness: 76 Million Cases Annually
December 16, 2008
Foodborne illness is a persistent public health problem in the United States despite government and industry attempts to improve the safety of our food supply and food preparation. Recent and massive recalls of peanuts and peanut products, spinach and eggs all have drawn national attention to the issue. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are 76 million cases of foodborne illness annually in the United States, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. That's likely underestimated because many cases are not reported. In 2010, the federal Food Safety Modernization Act became the most significant overhaul of food safety regulations since 1939.
Updated March 2011.
Resource Links
Statistics, Trends and Research
This research organization released a 2010 study that found the annual economic cost of foodborne illness reaches $152 billion, far higher than the USDA's 2000 estimate of $6.9 billion.
This site features research on food safety and outbreak issues
Here you'll find free abstracts of the latest research related to foodborne illness, nutrition and safety issues
WHO provides an international perspective on foodborne disease, including statistics, trends and research developments
This is a clearinghouse of food safety and illness information
The CDC operates Foodnet, the food-borne disease surveillance network, which has the most up-to-date statistics on the issue
Blogs
This blog, written by a food safety consultant, provides updates on foodborne illness outbreaks and other food safety issues
This blog is written by a food microbiologist
This is a blog sponsored by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense and aimed at fostering communication, coordination, education and training among the nation's food and agriculture sectors
Guidance for Consumers
The USDA's Foodborne Illness Education Center provides consumer-friendly information
An FDA site aimed at consumers and including information on food safety, nutrition and illness
Advocacy
This is an international food safety research and resource site that receives funding from the food, beverage and agricultural industries
Public Policy
The Department of Agriculture also plays a large role in setting food policy
The FDA sets most of the nation's food policy regulations
This center, based at the University of Minnesota, is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Understanding Foodborne Illness
This Agriculture Department's Web site is dedicated to food safety issues and includes information on new policy developments, research and outbreaks
This site has an entire section dedicated to food safety and how to prevent foodborne illness
This is a government-sponsored Web site dedicated to informing the media and consumers about food safety issues
