In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates roughly 48 million foodborne illnesses every year1. Put another way, about one in six Americans suffer from foodborne illness per year2. Foodborne illnesses also account for about 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths per annum in the US1. In contrast, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated 77 million foodborne illnesses, resulting in about 9,000 deaths per year in the WHO region of the Americas3. This translates to one in ten people per year in the Americas3, compared to one in six in the US2. These odds suggest that most people will take ill from a foodborne pathogen. This is a call to action. We must continue to improve our food safety practices and knowledge sharing, especially for those most vulnerable, such as the young, old, pregnant, and immunocompromised.
Sadly, children under five who represent the leaders of tomorrow are at the greatest risk of suffering from foodborne illnesses. Ensuring that food is safe is a reliable way to secure a healthier tomorrow for people and businesses. In addition to people suffering from foodborne illnesses, food manufacturers, food retail stores, and foodservice operations may suffer from brand damage and food recalls due to unsafe foods. A single food recall accrues an estimated $10 million in direct cost4; an unwanted expense which challenges business profitability and ultimately, sustainability.
Foodborne illnesses and recalls are preventable public health problems. A major food contamination mitigation practice is the strategic implementation of daily standard sanitation practices. Diversey's mission is to protect and care for people through leading hygiene, infection prevention, and cleaning solutions. We develop and deliver innovative products, services, and technologies that save lives and protect our environment. Over the course of 95 years, the Diversey brand has become synonymous with product quality, service, and innovation. We help protect our customer's brands by delivering complete food safety packages that include but are not limited to:
References