Food safety statistics you need to know in 2025

Food safety is more than just a precaution. It’s essential for protecting our health and well-being. Each year, millions of people fall ill due to food-associated risks. Adhering to strict food safety standards, from sourcing to serving, can prevent tragedies. It guarantees that the food you handle and serve nourishes your customers without causing harm.

Food safety is a shared responsibility that not only protects the integrity of your operations but also promotes the health of communities. Identify high-risk foods, monitor trends, and implement preventive measures against outbreaks with this list of the food safety statistics you should know in 2025.

What are food safety statistics and why are they important?

Food safety statistics refer to all numerical data that give insights into how safe our food is. This can include information about foodborne illnesses, outbreaks, and sources of contamination. 

These statistics are critical as they highlight the risks associated with food. It helps regulatory agencies, food producers, and businesses identify problems in the food supply chain. This allows them to take action to improve safety standards.

For businesses involved in producing, handling, and cooking food, leveraging these statistics protects customers and enhances operations. They also benefit from:

• Enhanced reputation by maintaining high food safety standards that are backed by data
• Reduced costs associated with medical claims, recalls, and loss of business due to negative publicity
• Better employee training programs that inform staff about best practices guided by statistics
• Customer loyalty because your business demonstrates a commitment to food safety fostering trust among customers

10 Food safety statistics

Explore this curated list of key food safety statistics that highlight the importance of safeguarding the food supply.

Every 1 in 10 people worldwide is impacted by food contamination

Data from the World Health Organization revealed that approximately 600 million people—nearly 1 in 10 worldwide—become ill from consuming contaminated food every year. This results in 420,000 deaths annually, underscoring the devastating global toll of foodborne diseases.

Contaminated food, be it meat, vegetables, fruits, or even water, can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, leading to a spectrum of illnesses. The impact is worst in low and middle-income countries, where the risk of outbreaks is higher, resulting in heavier economic burdens.

Restaurants are the top culprits for foodborne outbreaks

Around 800 foodborne outbreaks are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention every year. The majority of them happen in restaurants, outpacing all other food preparation settings. These outbreaks are often caused by improper food handling, poor hygiene practices, and inadequate cooking or storage temperatures.

Food contamination can happen when teams fail to follow safety protocols and can lead to the spread of harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Given the high volume of customers and the fast-paced nature of restaurant environments, implementing strict food safety standards and kitchen training is critical. This approach aids in avoiding outbreaks and protecting public health.

Investing in food safety training can reduce regulatory violations by up to 50%

Food safety training for employees is a worthwhile investment for food businesses. A study by the National Restaurant Association found that restaurants with food safety training see a 50% reduction in violations compared to those without it. 

As a result, training helps food establishments avoid costly fines and legal issues, all while strengthening their reputation and building customer trust. Well-trained staff are also more confident handling potential food safety hazards, ultimately protecting your patrons, business, and bottom line.

With high-quality food safety training software like SC Training (formerly EdApp), there’s no reason to overlook best practices and fall behind in industry standards. It houses a course library with multiple options for food safety courses that are ready to deliver for your teams.

Unsafe food can lead to over 200 diseases

From mild gastrointestinal issues to severe conditions, contaminated food can create a cycle of disease and malnutrition. Unsafe food can cause over 200 diseases. It can disrupt the digestive system and weaken a person’s immunity. Vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, are especially at risk, emphasizing the urgent need for safer food practices.

Foodborne illnesses drain the U.S. economy by an astounding 75 billion USD every year

Foodborne illnesses come at a great price. In 2023, the United States lost approximately 75 billion USD in medical expenses and lost productivity. This study published by the National Library of Medicine also said that Salmonella was the costliest pathogen, accounting for 17.1 billion USD.

This clearly shows that there is an economic toll when food is mishandled and contaminated. It has a profound impact on the nation’s workforce and healthcare system, with billions of dollars at stake. 

A staggering 33 million people are affected by food allergies in the US

Food allergies have become a growing public health concern in recent years. In the US alone, there are 33 million individuals who suffer from it. This puts many people at risk of severe allergic reactions and creates a broader societal impact in terms of healthcare costs and safety protocols.

There’s an urgent need to address food allergies given the fact that reactions can be life-threatening. Proactive measures like food allergy training for employees handling food can mitigate this risk and safeguard those living with these conditions.

7 in every 10 consumers are more likely to choose brands that prioritize food safety and transparency

There is a powerful shift in consumer behavior. More than 70% of consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that prioritize food safety and transparency, according to data from Label Insight. In today’s market, people are not just looking for quality products, they want to trust the brands they support. 

By demonstrating a commitment to food safety and prioritizing honest communication, businesses build loyalty, enhance their reputation, and drive more sales. Consumers are demanding more, and brands that rise to meet these expectations position themselves for long-term success.

One food safety incident can cause a 30% drop in customer loyalty

the damage from one food safety incident can linger for years. Data found that a single incident can lead to a 30% decline in customer loyalty. Research from the National Library of Medicine revealed that the estimated cost of a foodborne illness outbreak ranges from:

• 3,968 USD to 1.9 million USD for a fast-food restaurant
• 6,330 USD to 2.1 million USD for a fast-casual restaurant
• 8,030 USD to 2.2 million USD for a casual-dining restaurant
• 8,273 USD to 2.6 million USD for a fine-dining restaurant

Labeling mistakes lead the charge in 2024 U.S. food recalls, costing 1.92 billion USD

Labeling errors have become the leading cause behind food recalls in the US. The consequence? A hefty 1.92 billion USD price tag. Food recalls happen when a company removes a product from the market because it’s found to be potentially harmful to consumers.

Recalls may be due to contamination with harmful bacteria, allergens not listed on the label, or other food safety issues that could lead to illnesses or other health risks. While recalls are necessary for protecting public health, it comes at a costly price for the company involved. 

The financial strain, coupled with reputational damage, can make it incredibly difficult for the business to bounce back.

Food handling workers fail to wash their hands 73% of the time, despite it being required

A study found that food handling teams engaged in about nine activities per hour that required handwashing, but only washed their hands in about 27% of those instances. This alarming statistic can lead to increased risks of foodborne illness, which could end up costing your business a lot in the long run.

According to the CDC, handwashing benefits communities by:

• Reducing respiratory illnesses by 21%
• Reducing the incidence of diarrhea by 31%
• Lowering the risk of diarrheal illness by 58% for individuals with weakened immune systems.

Turn food safety statistics into action with training

The right data leads to better decision-making. Make better choices for your business with relevant food safety facts that can enhance compliance, reduce risks, and improve operational efficiency.

Deliver facts about food safety right at your team’s fingertips with SC Training. This mobile-first platform offers built-in reporting and analytics, so you can easily track and monitor your team’s learning trends and behavior.

Speaking of data-backed insights, SC Training has a spaced repetition feature that only repeats the concepts your learners haven't quite grasped yet, so they never miss learning key information. Its algorithm guarantees content is automatically repeated until it's fully absorbed, without any extra work for you.

Use food safety statistics to safeguard your business and customers. Join SC Training today!