Food. It's one of the most searched words online today. Consumers have an ever-growing emotional connection to it, especially among those in the millennial generation born in the 1980s and 1990s. It's also the reason food safety continually grabs the headlines almost on a daily basis by the news media and bloggers alike.
"The food supply gets safer in the U.S. each year," David Acheson, M.D., reminded those attending the 28th annual Dairy Forum organized by the International Dairy Foods Association on January 28 in Palm Desert, Calif. "We simply develop better ways to measure food illnesses each year."
That, in turn, spurs more media coverage.
"When a food illness occurs, it's all over the media," noted the former Food and Drug Administration official who served as associate commissioner for foods.
Will food safety coverage wane in years to come?
Acheson doubts it. Not only will science continue to improve, but the U.S. population also is aging and that presents another developing issue.
"As people age, they become more immune-compromised and more susceptible to foodborne illness," noted Acheson, who went on to add that most consumers won't draw a connection between the two issues.
Our bottom-line analysis . . . Food safety issues will continue to capture headlines in years to come despite its ever-growing safety. Be prepared to repeat the same message to concerned consumers because questions will keep coming. "Is my food safe?"
