10/13/2026
Food recalls make headlines. But what do they tell us about the safety of the food we eat, and the systems responsible for protecting it?
This year, the number of recalls has remained relatively steady. However the outbreaks this summer linked to contaminated food have sickened thousands of people, raising questions about how quickly contamination is detected, traced and contained.
Food safety depends on the systems that monitor our food supply, the people who investigate outbreaks and the resources available to do that work.
It also depends on our relationship with the food we eat.
Buying from a local farmer, visiting a farmers market, growing a few things at home or joining a community garden can help us understand where our food comes from and how it was grown.
These choices are one part of a much bigger picture. Strong public food safety systems remain essential, alongside greater connection between people and the sources of their food.
Know your farmer.
Grow something.
Reconnect with your food.
Read the slides to explore what the numbers tell us, and what we can do about it.
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