Significant Increase In Meat And Poultry Recalls, Study Finds

According to PIRG, there has been a 10 percent increase in food recalls since 2013; while hazardous meat and poultry products have risen by 83 percent during the same time frame.

Despite this, the PIRG Education Fund report states: “Americans should be confident that our food is safe and uncontaminated from dangerous bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.”

Affected meat causes ‘health problems or death’

The recall of beef for E. coli, or poultry for Salmonella falls under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Class 1 recall, which means there is a ‘reasonable probability’ that consumption of the food will cause ‘health problems or death’.

Last year, the USDA issued out a beef recall, after 12 million pounds of meat affected could have been contaminated with salmonella.

The recall came after nearly 250 people in 26 states became sick between July and September in 2018.

Wood found in chicken nuggets

Currently, Perdue Foods is recalling more than 68,000 pounds of chicken nuggets after consumers say they found wood in the food.

Consumers have filed complaints with the USDA and there have been no known injuries.

The PIRG Education Fund report concluded: “Our food safety defenses need an across-the-board upgrade.”