FDA Food Safety Resources
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply. The FDA monitors food products, issues recalls when contamination is discovered, and provides guidance on safe food handling practices.
The FDA's website offers valuable resources for consumers, including a searchable database of food recalls and safety alerts, guidance on safe food storage and preparation, information about food additives and their safety, and updates on ongoing food safety investigations.
- FDA Recalls & Safety Alerts: A regularly updated list of recalled food products and safety warnings
- FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): Information about the landmark food safety legislation
- MedWatch: The FDA's safety reporting program for consumers and healthcare professionals
CDC Foodborne Illness Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks and investigates outbreaks of foodborne illness across the United States. The CDC's foodborne illness resources provide essential information about the pathogens that cause food poisoning, outbreak investigations, and prevention strategies.
The CDC estimates that roughly 48 million Americans get sick from foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in approximately 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Understanding the scope of this problem is an important first step in protecting yourself and your family.
- FoodNet: The CDC's active surveillance network for foodborne diseases
- Outbreak Investigations: Reports on multistate foodborne illness outbreaks
- Food Safety by Food Type: Specific guidance for handling different categories of food
USDA Food Inspection Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products through its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The USDA conducts inspections of processing facilities, tests products for contamination, and issues recalls when necessary.
The USDA's resources are particularly valuable for consumers who want to learn about safe handling and cooking temperatures for meat and poultry, how to identify recalled products, proper food storage guidelines, and how to report concerns about meat, poultry, or egg products.
How to Report a Food Safety Concern
If you believe you have been made ill by contaminated food, or if you have discovered a food safety hazard, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities. Reporting food safety concerns helps protect other consumers and can support any legal action you may pursue.
There are several ways to report food safety concerns depending on the type of product involved:
- FDA: Report problems with most food products, dietary supplements, and cosmetics
- USDA FSIS: Report concerns about meat, poultry, and egg products
- Local Health Department: Report concerns about restaurants and food service establishments
- Preserve evidence: Save any remaining food, packaging, and receipts
- Seek medical attention: Document your illness with medical records
When Food Poisoning Becomes a Legal Claim
While many cases of food poisoning resolve on their own, some result in serious illness, hospitalization, long-term health consequences, or even death. When food poisoning causes significant harm, you may have a legal claim against the parties responsible for the contaminated food.
Potential defendants in a food poisoning lawsuit include food manufacturers and processors, restaurants and food service establishments, grocery stores and retailers, distributors and suppliers, and farms that produced contaminated ingredients. Our attorneys evaluate food poisoning cases to determine liability and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.