2024 Report: Alarming Surge in Foodborne Illnesses—Severe Cases Doubled! What You Need to Know

Last year, food-related illnesses in the U.S. increased by a startling 25%. According to a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund, 1,392 Americans fell ill from contaminated food in 2024. That’s up from 1,118 in the previous year. Hospitalizations soared from 230 to 487, and deaths rose from 8 to 19.

The majority of these illnesses—98%—were traced back to 13 major outbreaks. Most involved well-known culprits like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli. The report highlighted that these bacteria are the biggest threats when it comes to food safety.

Interestingly, many people with food poisoning don’t seek medical help, so the real number of cases is likely much higher. The CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food each year.

Despite the surge in illnesses, food recalls actually dropped by 5% in 2024. There were 296 recalls from the FDA and USDA, though FDA recalls increased by 8%. The authors of the report suggest that the decline in USDA recalls, which fell by 38%, might stem from fewer inspections, not necessarily safer food.

Some notable foodborne outbreaks made headlines in 2024. A significant Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat affected 61 people across 19 states, with 60 requiring hospitalization. The USDA’s investigation revealed safety issues at a Boar’s Head facility. The plant was closed indefinitely in September.

Another troubling incident involved E. coli O157:H7 from McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. This outbreak impacted 104 people in 14 states, resulting in 34 hospitalizations and 1 death. The FDA traced the contamination to raw slivered onions.

Additionally, a Salmonella outbreak related to cucumbers led to 551 cases and 155 hospitalizations in 34 locations. Fresh Start Produce Sales issued a recall on cucumbers after their involvement was confirmed. Another Salmonella outbreak in November, tied to cucumbers from Mexico, caused 113 illnesses across 23 states.

Other serious outbreaks involved foods like eggs, fresh basil, and various cheeses, all stemming from contamination with Listeria and Salmonella. These incidents raised concerns about the safety of foods many consider healthy.

While undeclared allergens were the primary reason for recalls, cases related to Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli jumped by 41%. These bacteria accounted for a substantial 39% of all recalls in 2024.

One challenge highlighted in the report is the lag time between when illnesses occur, when a recall is issued, and when consumers actually learn about it. For instance, the Boar’s Head outbreak began in May, but the recall didn’t happen until July, resulting in continued illnesses until September.

The report emphasizes that more needs to be done. Only two recall notifications are required, one from the FDA and another from the company. But there’s no rule mandating companies to directly contact grocery stores or consumers. Although consumers can sign up for alerts about recalls, the overwhelming number of notifications can lead to important messages being overlooked.

Suggestions for improvement include creating direct notification systems for consumers regarding serious recalls and requiring companies to communicate directly with buyers when a recall occurs. Addressing this issue could help prevent illness and keep consumers safer.