Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader Jeffries, Minority Leader Schumer, Chairman Cole, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chairwoman Collins, Vice Chair Murray,
The undersigned groups representing members of the food industry, academia, consumer groups and concerned individuals are writing to underscore the critical importance of detecting, investigating and responding to foodborne disease, and urge the federal government to continue investing in and enhancing our nation's foodborne disease surveillance systems.
Safe food is essential to a nutritious diet and the well-being of every American. Yet, every year, an estimated 48 million Americans are sickened by contaminated food and, of these, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. Many will also suffer secondary chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, reactive arthritis, kidney dysfunction and diabetes as a result of their foodborne illness. The economic burden for these illnesses is estimated to be more than $75 billion (based on 2023 cost estimates).
