More people got sick from contaminated food in 2024 than the previous year, with hospitalization from foodborne illness nearly doubling from 2023, according to a recent analysis from activists.
Nearly 1,400 people reported falling ill from food they ate in 2024, an increase from about 1,100 in 2023, according to the report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund. The nonprofit group analyzed food recalls and outbreaks from the Food and Drug Administration and USDA.
FDA, which regulates about 77% of the food supply, had 241 food and beverage recalls in 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year. USDA issued 55 recalls or alerts, 38% fewer than 2023.
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Still, more people became sick from food last year; 98% of the illnesses reported from food consumption were tied to 13 outbreaks. PIRG found that instances of severe illness increased, with hospitalizations jumping from 230 to 487. The number of deaths doubled from 8 to 19.
Recalls due to listeria, salmonella and E. coli also jumped, comprising 39% of recalls in 2024.
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