For more than 20 years, we have been closely tracking food product recalls and outbreaks. Over this period, numerous patterns and trends have emerged, creating new challenges and new opportunities for science and industry. Notably, as the decades have passed, we have watched in awe as industry has worked tirelessly to ensure that, with each passing year, our national meat and poultry supply becomes more safe.
As we look back at the recalls and outbreaks which have occurred over the past three decades, there have been both good and bad years. And, now, as we look back on the first full quarter of 2023, we can assess the recall data to see how industry is currently doing, and to predict how, from a food safety standpoint, the year may ultimately end.