In a report published by the Associated Press, it was discovered that foodborne illnesses cost the United States approximately $152 billion annually!  The U.S. Senate has been debating legislation that would require more frequent government (health department) inspections of food establishments and manufacturers.  According to the debated legislation, the Food and Drug Administration would also have new authority to issue recalls.

Considering that roughly 76 million people become sick from foodborne illness–and about 5,000 die–the cost of researching and treating these cases have become a huge expense for the United States government.  In fact, the $152 billion annual cost determined in a recent study by the Produce Safety Project, was significantly higher than the $35 billion reported by the U.S. Agricultural Department in 1997.  Interestingly, this cost study only focused on research of a handful of specific pathogens.  The actual cost of researching every foodborne illness pathogen that people contract each year could be higher still.  The report also did not include the cost of food recalls to the industries involved.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn), called the costs “shockingly high . . . If people can’t engage in this issue because of the humanitarian aspect or the public health aspect, maybe they’re willing to listen because of the economic aspect.”

This study identifies yet another reason why food safety training is so important.  The more educated our managers and food handlers become about good food safety practices, the safer the public will be–keeping lives safe, and costs down.

Source:  Associated Press, Shannon Dininny