Economic Research Service

About the author: The Economic Research Service (ERS) is the main source of economic information and research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The mission of ERS is to inform and enhance public and private decision making on economic and policy issues related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and rural development.

Costs associated with food-borne illnesses in the United States are estimated to be about $6.9 billion annually. These estimates include medical costs, productivity losses from missed work, and an estimate of the value of premature death. In addition to causing immediate symptoms, food-borne diseases often result in chronic illnesses that affect the joints, nervous system, kidneys, or heart, and lead to additional lifelong medical costs or premature death.

Foodborne diseases are caused by ingesting bacteria, fungi, parasites, or viruses through contaminated food or water, or through...