PKSD Newsletter: CDC Investigated More Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in 2018 Than Last Decade

The latest edition of the PKSD Newsletter, You Should Know, is about foodborne illness outbreaks. Did you know the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated more foodborne illness outbreaks last year than at any time in the past decade?

Our April newsletter explains some of the biggest reasons why there has been an increase in these outbreaks and what consumers can do to avoid getting sick. We want you to be able to eat fresh produce or other foods without a trip to the hospital.

Causes of the Increase in Outbreaks

One reason for the increase in foodborne illness outbreaks is healthy eating. Fruits and vegetables are the foods that are most often contaminated, particularly spinach, lettuce and other leafy greens. As more consumers try to eat healthy food, they are buying a lot of greens.

Many consumers buy bags of leafy greens out of convenience. However, once you put vegetables like this in a moist, enclosed space, there is a high risk of contamination – moist-enclosed spaces are breeding grounds for bacteria.

One of the challenges with illness outbreaks due to bagged salads is the lettuce inside is grown at different farms. This makes it that much tougher to find the source of contamination.

Food Safety Tips

Of course, we need to be cautious when going out to eat to be sure we are not eating contaminated food. However, the truth is this: you are more likely to eat contaminated food when you are at home.

This is why you need to take practical steps to avoid foodborne illness, like washing your hands before and after you touch food. You also need to be careful to thoroughly wash all produce before you eat it.

Another common mistake is leaving food out for too long. Make sure to seal up food in an airtight container and eat leftovers quickly.

Contact One of Our Trusted Attorneys Today

If you suffered foodborne illness, you may have a claim against the party that produced and distributed the food item that made you sick. However, determining your legal options on your own is very difficult, which is why many people decide to work with an attorney.

You want an experienced attorney with thorough knowledge of the law who will fight for your best interests. The Wisconsin personal injury lawyers at PKSD are committed to providing aggressive legal representation and pursuing all compensation you are entitled.

Complete our Free Case Evaluation form right now or call us at 877-877-2228.