Dr Prakash said that there are three distinct groups that all need to shoulder part of the responsibility for ensuring US food safety. The primary responsibility rests with the food industry, she said, although the government should be there to provide oversight. Finally, the consumer also needs to ensure proper food handling in the home - and it is up to organizations like IFT to provide consumers with the education they need to avoid illness.

“These outbreaks have helped to identify where there might be weaknesses within these systems. I believe that the industry is looking carefully at their entire supply chain, looking at ingredients all the way to raw ingredient suppliers,” said Dr Prakash.