Food Safety

The $75 Billion Cost of Foodborne Illness

The Real Cost of Foodborne Illness in the United States

Foodborne illness remains a significant public health and economic burden in the United States.

Beyond the human impact, the financial consequences affect businesses, healthcare systems, and communities nationwide. For foodservice operators, understanding the scale of the issue is essential to protecting both customers and your operation.

Annual Foodborne Illness Impact

  • 48M Annual Illnesses
  • 128K Hospitalizations
  • 3K Deaths

These numbers highlight the ongoing importance of strong food safety practices across the foodservice industry.

Economic Impact

The annual cost of foodborne illness in the United States is estimated at $75 billion, according to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS).

This estimate includes:

  • Medical care and hospitalization

  • Lost productivity and missed work

  • Long-term health complications

  • Premature deaths

Foodborne illness is not just a public health issue — it is also a major economic challenge affecting businesses nationwide.

Why This Matters for Foodservice Operators

Food safety failures can have lasting consequences for restaurants and food businesses:

  • One outbreak can severely damage brand reputation

  • Regulatory action and legal exposure can be costly

  • Lost customer trust impacts long-term revenue

  • Strong food safety systems reduce risk and liability

Investing in training, monitoring, and proper procedures helps protect both customers and your business.

Manager Action Step for March

Conduct a refresher training with your team on time and temperature control procedures.

Reinforcing food safety fundamentals is one of the most effective ways to prevent costly foodborne illness incidents.

Sources

CDC Annual Estimates
USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)

Stay informed. Stay proactive. Stay safe.

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