Food recalls in 2024

Food contamination-related hospitalizations and deaths may have been more common in 2024 compared with previous years.
In 2024, food contamination resulted in about 300 recalls, 1,400 cases of food-borne illnesses, 487 hospitalizations and 19 deaths according to a news report from CNN. Although food recalls overall declined, experts cited in the article noted that this may have signaled less proactive testing by state and federal regulators — especially since the number of hospitalizations and deaths were twice those reported in 2023.
Escherichia coli, Listeria and Salmonella accounted for a large proportion of the outbreaks, affecting cucumbers, onions, carrots, deli meats and McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (because of contaminated onions). Food recalls related to undeclared allergens — in which ingredients such as peanuts, tree nuts and sesame were not disclosed on food labeling — accounted for about 33% of all recalls in 2024.
Efforts such as the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act and advancements in whole-genome sequencing have made agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more effective at identifying outbreaks earlier. Individuals can minimize their exposure to food-borne illnesses by storing food properly, regularly washing their hands and utensils when handling food and staying informed about food recalls.
Read more: CNN
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