Preparation Methods and Perceived Risk of Foodborne Illness Among Consumers of Prepackaged Frozen Vegetables - United States, September 2022.

Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a serious infection with a high mortality rate for persons at higher risk for listeriosis. The first Listeria outbreak linked to frozen vegetables occurred in 2016 and resulted in three deaths. Many frozen vegetables are intended to be consumed after cooking.

Demographic Characteristics and County-level Indicators of Social Vulnerability in Salmonellosis Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef-United States, 2012-2018.

Ground beef is a common source of US Salmonella illnesses and outbreaks. However, the demographic and socioeconomic factors that are related to risk in ground beef-associated outbreaks of Salmonella infections are poorly understood. We describe the individual-level demographic characteristics and county-level indicators of social vulnerability for people infected with Salmonella linked to outbreaks associated with ground beef in the United States during 2012-2018.

Consumer Risk Perception of Food Contamination as an Influencer to Purchase Irradiated Ground Beef, Chicken, and Leafy Greens - United States, October 2022.

Foodborne illness continues to be a substantial public health concern in the United States with contaminated ground beef, chicken, and leafy greens identified as important sources of illnesses and outbreaks. These foods also have been identified by consumers as foods that are likely to carry germs that can make people sick. Food irradiation is a promising tool to enhance food safety.

Focus Groups Exploring U.S. Adults' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Irradiation as a Food Safety Intervention, 2021.

Food irradiation has been studied comprehensively and has been determined to be a safe and effective process for improving food safety. Despite this potential public health impact and current use in developed countries, the technology is not commonly used in the United States, with consumer acceptance often cited as a barrier. Given changes in consumer food-purchasing trends, advancements in irradiation technology, and an increase in multistate foodborne outbreaks, it is an opportune time to revisit consumer acceptance and factors that influence the purchase of irradiated food.

Examining Age and Food Irradiation Knowledge as Influential Factors on Purchase of Irradiated Foods - United States, August 2022.

Foodborne illness affects approximately 48 million Americans annually. Food irradiation is a safe and effective way to kill bacteria and extend a product's shelf-life. However, challenges to wider implementation of this technology include consumer hesitancy stemming from misconceptions about safety and lack of knowledge of irradiation's benefits.