Rising Listeria Outbreaks Raise Concerns Over U.S. Food Safety

Recent recalls of deli meats, frozen foods, and other products highlight systemic challenges in maintaining a safe food supply.

Listeria contamination at a Boar’s Head plant resulted in 10 deaths and 59 hospitalizations, prompting a recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meats.
Additional recalls include 12 million pounds of precooked meals and frozen waffles, affecting major grocery chains and brands like Trader Joe's and Boston Market.
Experts attribute the rise in listeria outbreaks to increased consumption of prepackaged foods, which provide a conducive environment for listeria growth.
The FDA and USDA are under scrutiny for their oversight, with calls for more resources and stricter regulatory enforcement to prevent future outbreaks.
Despite the high-profile recalls, experts maintain that the U.S. food supply remains one of the safest globally, though improvements in testing and inspections are necessary.