Food Safety
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Foodborne illnesses pose a serious public health risk and are of tremendous concern to the food industry. Each year, foodborne illnesses sicken 48 million (or 1 out of 6 people), cause 128,000 hospitalizations, and kill 3,000 individuals in the United States alone. The total health-related cost to Americans is estimated at $152 billion annually. The dollar cost to the food industry, in recalls, lost sales, and other related expenses, extends into the billions. Increasingly, foodborne illnesses cross all food groups—from ground beef, poultry, and dairy, to fresh produce, nuts, and processed foods of all kinds. With food recalls increasing, food safety concerns among consumers escalating, and the signing of The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the need for innovative solutions for a safer food supply has never been greater.
