National Food Safety Education Month 2024
Since its inception in 1994, NFSEM has played a crucial role in raising awareness about food borne illness prevention. The statistics are stark: the CDC estimates that 1 in 6 Americans contracts a food borne illness each year, leading to around 3,000 deaths and 128,000 hospitalizations. These numbers underline the critical importance of maintaining rigorous food safety standards across the supply chain.
The Boar's Head Recall
In August 2024, Boar's Head, a well-known brand in the deli meat industry, initiated a massive recall of over 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to a listeria outbreak. This outbreak has tragically resulted in nine deaths and 57 hospitalizations across 18 states, making it the most significant listeriosis outbreak since 2011.