More than 167,000 pounds of meat were recalled. What to know about the state of food safety in the U.S.

Key Points:

• Foodborne illness outbreaks and food recalls are distinct events; outbreaks occur when multiple illness cases are linked to a food source, while recalls happen when a problem is identified in a product, not necessarily linked to illnesses.
• The large cyclospora outbreak this summer, the largest in U.S. history, increased public awareness and media coverage but does not definitively indicate more outbreaks or recalls compared to previous years.
• Food safety experts emphasize that fluctuations in outbreak and recall numbers are normal and may reflect improved detection methods and heightened public awareness rather than a decline in food safety.
• Experts express concern that budget cuts and policy decisions under the Trump administration have weakened food safety surveillance, research, and response capabilities, potentially impacting future food safety.
• Despite recent high-profile outbreaks and recalls, current evidence does not suggest that the overall safety of the U.S. food supply has fundamentally worsened in recent years.