Food recalls rise sharply as safety concerns grow in the US

Food recalls have increased significantly after a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fiscal year ending September 2024, the FDA reported 1,908 recalls, the highest since 2019. Recent high-profile recalls include listeria in deli meats and E. coli in onions. Improved food safety surveillance and communication have led to more detected outbreaks. Advanced technologies like whole genome sequencing help trace the sources of foodborne illnesses more effectively than in the past. This has raised consumer awareness and concern about food safety. Experts recommend safe food handling practices, such as washing produce and properly cooking meats. They emphasize the importance of refrigeration after cutting fresh items to reduce contamination risks. The CDC tracks various pathogens linked to foodborne illnesses, with salmonella, listeria, and E. coli being the most concerning.