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The new report highlights a significant increase in foodborne illnesses in 2024, with a rise in hospitalizations and deaths compared to the previous year:

• Significant Increase in Foodborne Illnesses: Hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illnesses more than doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year.
• Outbreak Causes: Common culprits included E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, with notable outbreaks linked to contaminated onions, lunch meat, and edible mushrooms.
• Increased Recalls: The number of food recalls due to these bacteria also increased significantly.
• Factors Contributing to the Rise: Potential factors include higher bacterial concentrations in food, delays in issuing recalls, and inadequate communication about recalls.
• Call for Action: The report emphasizes the need for continued vigilance in food safety, including maintaining funding and regulations.
• Industry Responsibility: The report highlights the need for better communication between manufacturers, retailers, and consumers regarding recalls.
• Unexpected Outbreak: The outbreak linked to edible mushrooms used for microdosing highlights the evolving nature of food safety challenges.
• Legislative Concerns: The report expresses concern about potential rollbacks in food safety regulations proposed by some lawmakers.