Foodborne Illnesses Are More Common than Previously Realized

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella or E. coli infections, are much more common than previously thought. Using a new mathematical method to estimate their true prevalence, investigators found that the roughly 14,000 cases of foodborne illness reported annually in the United States is a significant underestimate. Most foodborne illnesses result from fecal organisms in chickens, cows, or other animals that may end up in meat, milk, or eggs or be transferred to vegetables, fruits, or kitchen surfaces.