Pew seeks to reduce the health risks from foodborne pathogens by strengthening federal government authority and the enforcement of food safety laws. The food safety system should focus on prevention through scientifically sound risk assessment and management as well as reliable, comprehensive data.
Why It Matters
An estimated 1 in 6 Americans gets a foodborne illness each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infections from bacteria and viruses in food can lead to long-term health problems and even death, and these preventable sicknesses are particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups such as young children and older adults. The estimated U.S. health-related costs for foodborne illnesses exceed $70 billion a year, while product recalls and ancillary business expenses caused by contaminated foods probably add billions of dollars to the financial burden resulting from these microscopic pathogens.
Sandra Eskin, director, Food Safety