In yesterday s Dispatch, we reported on new statistics from the CDC on foodborne illness, noting that the latest numbers of such illnesses were far lower than we expected. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Vincent Ianelli, associate professor of Pediatrics at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas who blogs at keepkidshealthy.com, wrote in to point out that, while our analysis focused on the study s concrete numbers, other data based on estimates reveal a different picture:
In yesterday s Dispatch, we reported on new statistics from the CDC on foodborne illness, noting that the latest numbers of such illnesses were far lower than we expected. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Vincent Ianelli, associate professor of Pediatrics at Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas who blogs at keepkidshealthy.com, wrote in to point out that, while our analysis focused on the study s concrete numbers, other data based on estimates reveal a different picture:
The report said that, "During 2008, the most recent year for which data are finalized, 1,034 foodborne disease outbreaks were reported, which resulted in 23,152 cases of illness, 1,276 hospitalizations, and 22 deaths." So, the 22 deaths were only from those particular 1,034 outbreaks. It doesn't take into account all of the other cases and deaths that were not officially reported and tracked.
The CDC 2011 Estimates haven't changed: CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.
The CDC 2011 Estimates haven't changed: CDC estimates that each year roughly 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases.
We thank him for his comments and agree that, based on the estimated number of illnesses and deaths, no complacency about food safety is justified.
