INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) reveals a grim reality for 2024: food recalls drop to 296 from 313, yet illnesses climb to 1,392,
The story traces back to systemic cracks, intensified by pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E
coli, which fuel a 41% spike in related recalls.Pathogens thrive due to sloppy practices at processing plants
coli outbreak, tied to onions, sickens 104 and kills one, pointing to raw produce risks from contaminated water or soil.Companies cut
corners, skipping rigorous testing to save time and money, letting tainted goods slip through
Global supply chains add fuel to the fire
Surge in 2024: Why Safety Is Faltering
(Photo Internet reproduction)Food Safety CrisisWeak foreign supplier vetting lets hazards like heavy metals or bacteria sneak in
Climate shifts and intensive farming amplify this, boosting pathogen loads in livestock and crops
Cucumbers alone sicken over 660 across two outbreaks, linked to poor irrigation or handling.Delays plague the system
PIRG notes 98% of illnesses stem from just 13 outbreaks, showing how slow responses turn small issues into crises.Meanwhile, the CDC
estimates 48 million annual foodborne cases dwarf the reported 1,392, hinting at underreporting and lax detection
Businesses face a reckoning
calls out firms for dodging responsibility, risking lawsuits and lost trust
Regulatory gaps persist too; the FDA and USDA juggle fragmented rules, leaving raw produce and imports vulnerable
