By: Shelley Feist, Executive Director, Partnership for Food Safety Education  Date: 3/3/10

One Hundred Fifty Two billion dollars a year: That’s the health related cost of food borne illness in the U.S. according to a new report by former FDA economist Robert L.Scharff, PhD. The report is an important contribution to the under-resourced area of research into foodborne illness and its’ impact on Americans.

As Dr. Scharff points out, it is important to measure and report on the health-related costs of food borne illness because it serves as a useful means of quantifying the problem relative to other pressing health problems.  Yes, a determination of whether to do more to reduce risk of food borne illness should not be based on monetary data alone.  But the reality is that unless the scope of the problem is quantified - not just in financial terms but, also, in specific terms of numbers and ages of victims, and attribution by pathogen - then the appropriate holistic response to prevention cannot be adequately developed. 

In addition to reminding us that we need to know more, the data released in the report reminds us that reducing the burden of illnesses caused by food and water-bourne pathogens must remain a public health priority. 

Strategies for Prevention

One piece of the prevention strategy must be arming consumers with the information they need to reduce risk of illness to themselves and their families.  Because often the last line of defense must be waged in the consumer’s kitchen, education on safe food handling and basic hygiene is critical. 

Food safety education is preventive health education.  In terms of resources committed and effort across sectors it falls behind other health and nutrition education efforts.  The non-profit Partnership for Food Safety Education was formed to address this aspect of illness prevention.  PFSE welcomes partners and ideas for improved effectiveness and measurement food safety education efforts.  www.befoodsafe.org and www.fightbac.org

The non-profit Partnership for Food Safety Education saves lives and improves public health through research-based, actionable consumer food safety initiatives that reduce food borne illness.