Editor’s note: This column by Luis Delgadillo of the food safety education staff at the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service was first published by USDA on Dec. 22. Most expectant mothers know about the dangers
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Research links food poisoning to increased suicidal behaviors
Most people associate food poisoning with physical symptoms, but new research shows a connection between a foodborne parasite and mental/emotional problems, including suicide. 
Researchers at universities across the country analyzed data collected from 1991 through
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Yearly Economic Burden of Foodborne Illness Estimated at $15.5 Billion
The latest estimates from the Department of Agriculture suggest that foodborne illnesses cost the U.S. $15.5 billion each year. “Economic burden of a disease is not the same thing as the impact of a disease
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USDA: Salmonella Tops List of 15 Most Costly Pathogens
Salmonella causes an estimated $3.7 billion each year in medical costs for Americans, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. That figure places Salmonella at the top of
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UN Report Ranks Global Health Impact of Foodborne Parasites
When it comes to food safety concerns, foodborne parasites might not receive as much attention in the U.S. compared to bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. Globally, however, foodborne parasites affect the health of
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Government Releases Food Safety Manual for Pregnant Women
The two federal agencies in charge of food safety in the U.S. have jointly published a manual of advice for avoiding foodborne illness during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at higher risk for severe illness from
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FDA Clears Toxoplasmosis Test
A test to help determine whether a pregnant woman or a person with swollen lymph nodes has a recent Toxoplasma gondii infection has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The VIDAS TOXO
Little-known Toxoplasma Can Be a 'Silent Killer'
When the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute (EPI) released a report on April 28 ranking the microorganisms that cause the greatest burden to U.S. public health, many familiar names claimed spots in the top
Food Safety For Pregnant Women
Foodborne illness is a serious health risk for pregnant women and their unborn babies. During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is weakened and it is harder for her body to fight off harmful foodborne microorganisms.