Food Attribution and Economic Cost Estimates for Meat and Poultry Related Illnesses

What is it about?

In this study, I estimate the cost of foodborne illness associated with non-game meat and poultry products that are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To complete this, I merge results from a food attribution model with results from an illness model and an economic burden of illness model. Meat and poultry products are responsible for 36.8% of all foodborne illnesses. This translates into 17.6 million annual illnesses yielding economic costs of $37.8 billion. Results based on alternative attribution and economic model assumptions are also presented, generating meat and poultry attribution estimates ranging from 30.5% to 48.0% and economic costs of $22.4 to $45.6 billion.

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