Personal Injury Blog

Food Poisoning Illnesses Costs US $77 Billion Every Year

January 9th, 2012
food poisining illnesses

According to a new study, around 48 million Americans are diagnosed with some type of food poisoning sickness every year.

According to a new study, infections caused by foodborne-pathogens leave 48 million Americans with some kind of food poisoning sickness every year.  These food poisoning illnesses cost America approximately $77 billion in a year.

The results of the study have been published in the Journal of Food Protection.  According to the study, 48 million Americans every year suffer from some illness associated with foodborne pathogens.  The analysis found that the average cost of each illness was approximately $1,626.  That works out to an approximate annual cost from $77.7 billion.

That figure is much lower than earlier estimates have held.  According to previous estimates, the cost of food poisoning in the US is approximately $102 billion.  The new estimates came from a revision conducted by Robert Scharff of Ohio State University.  According to this review, the estimates based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are much lower than earlier assumed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that up to 128,000 Americans are hospitalized with food poisoning every year.  These incidents of food poisoning also cause 3000 fatalities a year.  What is interesting is that more people suffer from influenza than food poisoning.  During a typical season, approximately 200,000 people in America are hospitalized with influenza.  However, the total cost of food poisoning-related illnesses is equal to the total cost of influenza  in the country.

In 2011, Californians can do more to protect themselves from illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens.  Basic cleanliness and hygiene can reduce the risk of infections.  Wash hands regularly, and wash your countertops, utensils, knives, and chopping boards diligently.

Be smart about separating fresh foods and produce from meat, poultry, seafood and other foods.  The separation process should begin not in your refrigerator or while cooking, but right at the moment that you buy the food.  Use separate bags to carry your meats and seafood, and separate bags for fresh produce.  When you get home, don’t place your meats and seafood above the produce in the refrigerator- raw juice can drip onto fresh produce, contaminating it.  Use separate utensils, knives and chopping boards to handle produce and meat.

Meat should be cooked thoroughly.  Many food poisoning illnesses that Los Angeles food poisoning lawyers come across could have been prevented if the meat had been cooked at temperatures high enough to kill bacteria.  Use a food thermometer if you’re not sure if the meat has been cooked thoroughly.  The ideal temperature should be 160° Fahrenheit for ground meats and 155°F for poultry.  For whole meats, the ideal temperature would be about 145°F.

 

Posted by
Robert Reeves
at 1:27 pm: No comments

Robert Reeves+ is a California Personal injury attorney.

Leave a reply



Share This Page With A Friend
Find The Reeves Law Group On

Latest Review

The Reeves Law Group
Excellent, highly recommended

"I was very pleased with my overall experience with The Reeves Law Group. The staff was friendly and helpful, and my attorney was skillful and aggressive in getting an excellent settlement recovery for me, including reimbursement for my lost income."

 - Camilla C. Castagna 5.0

Free Case Review800-644-8000

Contact Us

Name
Phone
Email
Tell us about your case

To avoid spam, please align the slider under the green arrow. *

Client Testimonials

  • "I would recommend The Reeves Law Group to my family and friends for attorney representation of any bodily injury claims they might have..."

    — C.O., Los Angeles

  • "I cannot thank this firm enough. The attorneys and support staff were caring, attentive and diligent at every step of the way and produced an outstanding result in the case."

    — M.N., Orange County

  • "I am very happy with $981,932.68 The Reeves Law Group obtained for me for injuries I suffered in an automobile accident. The legal representation provided by the Reeves staff was excellent..."

    — G.D., Ventura County

  • "I appreciate the level of excellence and compassion put forth in my case. This law firm made what was stressful in the beginning a non-stressful case in the end. Thank you!"

    — J.H., Riverside

  • "I was very happy with attorney Pakiz of your office, who worked very diligently and was very courteous with me. I would not hesitate to call on or recommend your office in the future."

    — T.M., Orange County

  • "I would refer The Reeves Law Group to friends and family."

    — J.K., San Diego County

  • "I found the attorneys to be compassionate for my needs and tenacious against the insurance company representatives, while working to achieve an outstanding settlement result."

    — F.H., Los Angeles County

  • "Dear Mr. Reeves: Your representation and guidance during the pendency of my injury case are very much appreciated..."

    — A.C., Santa Ana

  • "I received great service and am very happy with the way your firm handled my case."

    — J.F., Orange County

  • "Great job on the whole process. It was a fast process, and there was always someone for me to talk to."

    — D. H., Rialto

  • "We came to you from another law firm that didn't help. Your offices made us feel like we were your only clients. Thank you so much for the terrific service!"

    — R.L. and E.L., Orange County

  • "Great job - great damages recovery! Thank you Mr. Reeves and staff for quality legal representation and results in my personal injury case."

    — M.I., Riverside County

Helpful Links

Our Blog Over 3,000 Articles Daily articles on Personal injury news & analysis
Click Here ►
Our Guarantee If there is no recovery you don't pay a fee
Learn More ►
Video Library A helpful resource for your injury case
Click Here ►