No progress made toward CDC's goals of reducing salmonella and E. coli infections, according to report; CDC's goals are to reduce salmonella by 14.5% and E. coli by 29%

Nevin Barich

ATLANTA , November 22, 2013 (Supermarket News) – A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the status of its 2015 public health goals shows no progress on food safety issues.

The Winnable Battles Progress Report, an update on seven key areas the CDC began targeting in 2010, found there was no progress made toward the agency’s goals of reducing salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections.

The rate of E. coli infection was actually higher in 2012 than in 2010, according to preliminary data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, or FoodNet.

Salmonella infection rates fell slightly in the same time period, though they remained virtually unchanged from 2011 to 2012. Moreover, the 2012 rate was higher than that of 2009.

The CDC goals are to reduce salmonella by 14.5% and E. coli by 29%, benchmarks which the agency said it is not on track to hit by 2015.

The report pointed to food safety gains made from 1996-1998 to 2012, including a 22% decline in Campylobacter cases, a 41% drop in Listeria cases and a 31% decrease in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli cases.

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