Search

The World Health Organization estimates that in 2005, 1.5 million people died, worldwide, from diarrheal diseases. A separate study estimated that 70% of diarrheal diseases are foodborne. The widely cited US estimate is that there are 76 million foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5200 deaths. However, there are epidemiologic and methodologic challenges to accurately estimate the economic burden of foodborne disease on society, either in terms of monetary costs or non-monetary units of measurement. Studies on the economic burden of foodborne disease vary considerably: some analyze the effects of a single pathogen or a single outbreak, whereas others attempt to estimate all foodborne disease in a country. Differences in surveillance systems, methodology, and other factors preclude meaningful comparisons across existing studies. However, if it were possible to completely estimate the societal costs for all acute foodborne diseases and their chronic sequelae worldwide, on the basis of currently available data, worldwide costs from these illnesses would be substantial. Moreover, foodborne infections are largely manifested as intestinal illnesses and are largely preventable. Total costs of foodborne disease would be much smaller in the United States and the world if economic incentives for industry to produce safer food were improved. However, costs of implementing new food safety prevention and control rules must be weighed against the estimated benefits of reducing foodborne disease to determine net benefits so that governments have information to efficiently allocate funds among competing programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A study of food poisoning jury verdicts in 32 states (1988-1997) revealed that plaintiffs won awards in food poisoning jury trials 31% of the time, and received a median award of $25,560. Multivariate analyses were performed to examine the effects of various factors on food poisoning jury verdicts and on the size of the award. The odds of a plaintiff victory increased if a foodborne pathogen or illness was specified, and decreased if defendants had "deep pockets" or used medical expert testimony. Illnesses involving hospitalization, death, or chronic complications received higher awards than other illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the reasons for and against using foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination and discusses the policy dilemma countries face when new outbreaks occur. Epidemiology of the disease; Consequences of FMD; Problem with emergency vaccination; Possible effects of an outbreak in the United States.

Focuses on the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BVE) or mad cow disease crisis in Great Britain. Cause of BVE in Great Britain cattles; Number of cattles diagnosed with BVE as of March 2001; Potential correlation between BVE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans; Effect of the BVE news in 1996 on the domestic sales of British beef products; Actions taken by the United States government to ensure the safety of its beef products.

Focuses on the effect of standards and regulations on food trade and safety in the twenty-first century. Reasons for international differences in food safety measures; Food safety measures in multilateral trading system; Multilateral coordination mechanisms and private systems approaches; Food safety and trade issues.

In a split-sample contingent valuation study of willingness to pay (WTP) for food safety improvements, the dichotomous choice (DC) elicitation method consistently generated much larger estimates of WTP than did a continuous method. Little or none of these differences was clue to bias introduced by the statistical techniques used with the DC data. Most or all of the difference was due to differences in respondent behavior. In addition, the continuous WTP responses showed a significant scope effect, while the DC responses did not. The observed difference in behavior may be attributable in part to yea-saying by DC respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the opportunity cost paradigm to examine industry costs of complying with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) for food safety regulations. HACCP benefits; Sensitivity analysis of HACCP benefit estimates; HACCP costs; Economic incentives from HACCP.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute neuromuscular paralysis. Of an estimated annual number of 2628–9575 US cases, 526–3830 are triggered by Campylobacter infection. Research objectives were to identify the lifetime consequences of GBS and, when possible, to quantify their economic burden. The cost-of-illness method was used to calculate annual societal resources spent on medical care and lost productivity due to illness or premature death from Campylobacter-associated GBS. Estimated total costs (in US$) of Campylobacter-associated GBS ($0.2–$1.8 billion) were added to previously estimated costs of campylobacteriosis ($1.3– $6.2 billion) for a total annual cost from Campylobacter of $1.5–$8.0 billion (1995 dollars). It is concluded that up to $8.0 billion in US human illness costs are spent annually because of Campylobacter infection. Economic evaluation of the other costs associated with GBS, such as physical and psychological costs, would increase these estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To estimate the costs of satisfying MyPyramid fruit and vegetable guidelines, with a focus on whether low-income households can bear these costs. Design: Descriptive analysis of the 2008 National Consumer Panel with information on the food purchases of 64,440 households across the contiguous United States was used to analyze the cost of fruits and vegetables. Costs per MyPyramid cup-equivalents were calculated by accounting for cooking yields and the portion of a food item's retail weight that is inedible. Variables Measured: Costs per cup-equivalent for less expensive fruits and vegetables by MyPyramid subgroup including whole and cut fruit, fruit juice, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, starchy vegetables, other vegetables, and legumes. Results: In 2008, a variety of fruits and vegetables was available for an average cost of SO.40 to SO.50 per cup-equivalent. MyPyramid fruit and vegetable recommendations could be satisfied at this cost level. Conclusions and Implications: Low-income Americans facing national average food prices can satisfy MyPyramid fruit and vegetable guidelines with a budget equal to the Thrifty Food Plan allocation to fruits and vegetables. However, many low-income households spend too much money on food that is low in fruit and vegetable content. Some money should be reallocated to fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]