What is going on with our food?

According to the official Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, more than 500 products in the Food and Beverage category have been recalled. Lettuce, eggs and jalapeños have all been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States just this year. With all of these recalls and warnings appearing on a regular basis, it can feel like the country’s food safety is in crisis. 

But it is far more complicated than having a few simple recalls. 

One of the reasons for recent concern is the size of the outbreaks in such a short amount of time. In August, federal health officials linked salmonella to jalapeños grown in Mexico.

According to AP, at least 345 people in 27 states became sick with the illness, and 36 were hospitalized. Investigators found that 93% of the 191 people interviewed had eaten at a Mexican-style restaurant during the outbreak.

Another major outbreak involved cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by a parasite. Federal officials linked the outbreak to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce and reported 11,458 illnesses across 20 states.

AP reported in July that 98 people in 17 states had been sickened in a salmonella outbreak linked to recalled shell eggs. 26 people were hospitalized and the recalled eggs had been distributed to stores including Kroger in Texas and Louisiana and Brookshire Grocery stores in several states.

Once federal health officials realized and identified the source of the outbreaks, they removed all of those products from the shelves of grocery stores and businesses removed the ingredients from their kitchens. Taylor Farms, for example, recalled prepared foods containing jalapeños after a supplier found that the peppers had possible salmonella contamination.

The FDA is also encountering more general questions from the public about food-safety regulation. In August, federal officials proposed requiring manufacturers to notify the FDA before introducing new food ingredients or additives. This proposal would give the FDA more information about the ingredients that are ingrained into the country’s food supply, 

For consumers, these recalls are concerning, but it does not necessarily mean that all food is unsafe. 

These recent recalls have occurred in large quantities very close together, which has made them concerning to the public. This has increased attention on the FDA and its food safety protocols.