115 - Why There Are So Many Outbreaks and Recalls for Produce

Farmers and food processors insist that the U.S. has the safest food supply in the world. But about 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses every year, according to the CDC. Of those, an estimated 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. Produce, especially leafy greens, accounts for nearly half (46%) of these illnesses. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the produce you buy at the supermarket or eat at a restaurant. Where does the system break down? What can be done to fix it? And what can you do to reduce your risk of getting sick? More from Checkbook: Why So Many Americans Keep Getting Foodborne Illnesses More Info: U.S. PIRG: Food for Thought 2026 FDA: Safe Food Handling CDC: What to Do if You Think You Have Food Poisoning Not a Checkbook member? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for a free 30-day trial to access all of our unbiased ratings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.