Climate change has a clear link to rising foodborne illnesses. Blackouts during heat waves and wildfires are a growing part of the problem.
Every year, almost 1 in 6 Americans gets a foodborne illness, and about 3,000 people die from it, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. Picnics and parties where food sits out for hours are a common source, but heat waves and power outages are another silently growing threat.
Safety measures like warning labels and product recalls can help slow the spread of harmful bacteria and parasites, but these measures don’t always evolve rapidly enough to keep pace with the changing risk. Which causes of foodborne illness are increasing with the heat?Nationwide, many types of foodborne infection peak in warm summer months.
When refrigerators lose power, they can keep foods cool for only so long. This store owner in New York during the 2006 blackout said, ‘I’ll have to throw all this out.’ Chris Hondros/Getty Images, Author providedTypically, the U.S. sees about 70 foodborne outbreaks per month, with about two of them resulting in a food recall.
The CDC website emphasizes four basic rules to prevent food poisoning at home: clean, separate, cook and chill.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden says Supreme Court emissions ruling risks ability to tackle climate changeU.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday the Supreme Court ruling that limited federal power to curb carbon emissions risks damaging the United States' ability to tackle climate change.
Read more »
Court leaves dwindling paths for Biden's climate missionMore than 500 days into his presidency, Biden’s hope for saving the Earth from the devastating effects of climate change may not be dead.
Read more »
Regulating Power Plants Is a Health IssueDoctors must get more involved in the public health crises that climate change will bring
Read more »
Foam Lake, Sask. farmer recounts moments before tornado hitEnvironment and Climate Change Canada says three tornadoes touched down in Saskatchewan Wednesday night.
Read more »