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On the rise -

Across the United States, food recalls have been rapidly increasing due to contamination incidents involving popular brands like McDonald's and Boar’s Head. Multiple reports of illnesses have been linked to E. coli, listeria, and salmonella in food products across the country.

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Investigation -

The CDC is currently investigating an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, which has reportedly sickened close to 50 people across 10 states, though the real number may be much higher.

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Increased food recalls and illnesses - A rise in foodborne illnesses has led to increased recalls, with contaminated products such as deli meats, waffles, and eggs causing hospitalizations and deaths. As such, concerns over food safety in the US are rapidly rising.

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The modern food system -

The modern food system has grown increasingly complex, with a higher reliance on imported and processed foods, which creates more opportunities for contamination and disease within the food supply chain.

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Enhanced government tracing -

Improved government tracing technology (driven by food safety modernization efforts) allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to quickly identify and recall contaminated products before they spread widely and impact more people.

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USDA oversight -

While the FDA leads many food safety efforts, the United States Department of Agriculture remains responsible for overseeing recalls involving meat, poultry, and eggs, though it is not governed by the latest food safety modernization legislation.

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Major pathogens -

Recent food contamination cases involve pathogens like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella, each of which is linked to different types of foods, which affect a broad spectrum of grocery items and prepared foods.

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Beef and onions -

In the McDonald's outbreak, investigators suspect either the beef or onions used in Quarter Pounders may be contaminated with E. coli, which poses significant risks when it enters the water supply or comes into contact with food.

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Chicken broth -

On January 21, the FDA issued a Class II risk designation for recalled 48-ounce cartons of Great Value Chicken Broth sold in Walmart stores across the country. The recall was initiated on December 11, 2024, by Tree House Foods Inc., in British Columbia, Canada. It was found that the packaging in aseptic paper cartons could have compromised sterility, potentially leading to spoilage. The recalled product was distributed in 242 stores in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Walmart has advised customers to discard the product and request a refund.

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Health risks of E. coli -

While most people carry harmless E. coli strains, certain types can cause severe illnesses, especially if introduced to food products like ground beef during slaughter and processing or spread through improper hygiene.

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Spread of listeria -

Listeria, another bacterial threat, has led to recalls of waffles and chicken products in major supermarket chains, following previous outbreaks in Boar's Head deli meats produced in Virginia.

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Deadly impact -

Listeria outbreaks originating from Boar's Head’s Virginia facility have led to 59 reported cases, resulting in 10 deaths. Unsanitary conditions (including mold and vermin) have been cited as factors in the facility’s contamination.

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Massive recall -

Boar’s Head had to recall over seven million pounds of deli meat, including 71 different products, and has indefinitely closed their facility in the Virginian town of Jarratt, where unsanitary conditions raised public health concerns.

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Salmonella contamination -

Salmonella outbreaks have prompted recalls of eggs, green onions, and other foods this year, with high hospitalization rates, particularly linked to contaminated eggs and charcuterie meat that spread across 30 states.

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Common sources of salmonella -

Salmonella often originates in poultry and eggs but can affect other foods like basil and cucumbers, easily spreading through improper cooking or cross contamination during food preparation at home.

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Vulnerable groups -

People at greater risk from these pathogens include pregnant individuals, young children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems, who are more likely to experience severe symptoms or complications.

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Unique threat profile -

Listeria is particularly concerning due to its ability to spread quickly and cause systemic infections, sometimes without obvious foodborne illness symptoms. This makes it a stealthy and dangerous pathogen.

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Symptoms of listeria -

Listeria infection can lead to fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress, and in serious cases it can cause blood and brain infections as well as miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant individuals.

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Symptoms of salmonella -

Salmonella infection typically presents with diarrhea, fever, and cramps, with antibiotics used for severe cases. Young children, seniors, and people with low stomach acid levels are most vulnerable.

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Symptoms of E. coli -

E. coli infections lead to stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with children and seniors most susceptible to serious complications like kidney damage, which necessitates careful monitoring and rehydration.

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Increased recalls -

USDA and FDA recalls and alerts have increased steadily since the COVID pandemic, driven in part by more comprehensive allergen disclosure requirements, alongside concerns about contamination with harmful bacteria.

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Processed foods -

The rising popularity of processed foods (which are oftentimes more susceptible to contamination) has contributed to the recent increase in foodborne illness outbreaks. The more processing steps there are in food production, the higher the chances of contamination.

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Tracing pathogens -

The adoption of culture-independent diagnostic tests has improved pathogen detection, allowing health authorities to identify and respond to outbreaks more quickly.

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Information technology -

The FDA's push for digitized outbreak tracing allows faster response times, which helps prevent contaminated food from spreading further and reducing the overall impact of foodborne illness outbreaks. Each container of a product is essentially coded with a unique number that can be traced.

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Legal repercussions -

Companies responsible for outbreaks face legal consequences, although penalties like fines are often minimal for large corporations. Boar’s Head, for example, is facing lawsuits due to the listeria outbreak.

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Internal investigation -

Following recent outbreaks, the USDA has initiated an internal investigation into its role in monitoring food safety, with the aim of improving oversight and accountability in the inspection of food production facilities.

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A shared responsibility - Though companies and regulatory bodies bear primary responsibility for food safety, experts urge consumers to stay vigilant and consider every food item a potential contamination risk.

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Safe food preparation practices -

Experts recommend safe food handling practices, like cooking foods thoroughly, preventing cross contamination, and staying aware of food recalls.

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Global trade -

As more foods are imported, global trade contributes to increased recall frequency. The issue has the potential to spread to other countries, as imported items sometimes carry pathogens that are harder to detect or trace due to different international standards.

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Future outlook on food safety -

Experts believe food safety will continue to evolve, with digital tracking and improved diagnostics, but they also advise that consumers remain vigilant, which is an essential step amid the challenges posed by the complex food system.

Sources: (Vox) (US Food and Drug Administration) (USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service) (CDC)

See also: The US government has already planned for the worst

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