A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that US food safety has not improved since 2005. Sixteen of every 100,000 people had confirmed cases of salmonella in 2008, compared to 14 out of 100,000 in 2005. Although the increase may be a statistical anomaly, many foodborne illnesses, including listeria and E. coli 0157, show no change in occurrence over the three-year period. The CDC estimates that foodborne illnesses are responsible for 5,000 deaths and 300,000 hospitalizations annually. In total, around 76 million people get sick each year from foodborne illnesses. CDC Deputy Director Dr. Robert Tauxe states that the problem of foodborne illness from produce is growing.

Source: The New York Times