how often does food make us sick
it's hard to tell since so many cases go
unreported and globalization of food
production makes it harder and harder to
track
but we do know this
at least one in six americans get sick
from food poisoning every year
and while most of them recover without
any lasting effects
many end up hospitalized
and some even die
these illnesses can originate at any
point from farm to table
contaminated water
animals or equipment can taint food
unhygienic conditions can allow
pathogens to grow
improper temperatures can cause food to
spoil
poor sanitation can allow bacteria to
multiply
and even carelessness in our own
kitchens is a risk
take an e coli outbreak in germany in
2011
nearly 3 000 people became sick with
diarrhea fever and vomiting 855
developed a more severe illness
the german government raced to find the
source of the outbreak and warned
consumers to be cautious of lettuce
tomatoes and cucumbers
but 16 days later officials reported
that sprouts were the real cause
in the end
53 deaths and more than 3 800 cases were
reported affecting 15 countries
preventing outbreaks like these in the
future may prove challenging
in the u.s 80 percent of food-borne
illnesses are caused by unknown
pathogens
but by monitoring the risks in our food
chain we all might dine with a little
more confidence
you