Food recalls and outbreaks: What to know and how to stay safe

A string of foodborne illness outbreaks has raised new questions about the safety of fresh produce. A major cyclospora outbreak has sickened thousands nationwide, salmonella linked to jalapeños has infected more than 100 Minnesotans and recalled alfalfa sprouts grown in the state have been connected to cases of both E. coli and salmonella.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with food safety experts about what’s behind the recent outbreaks, how produce becomes contaminated and what consumers can do to reduce their risk of getting sick.

Guests:

Amy Johnston is a food safety expert and extension educator with the University of Minnesota. She develops education and training on safe food handling, preparation and processing for food producers, businesses and consumers. Craig Hedberg is a professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and co-director of the Minnesota Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence. He studies foodborne-illness surveillance, outbreak investigations and prevention.