By Darin Detwiler and Hal King

The past year has been defined by a troubling series of foodborne outbreaks and recalls, underscoring systemic weaknesses in the U.S. food safety system. From Listeria-contaminated deli products to E. coli-tainted produce, these incidents aren’t just unfortunate—they’re symptomatic of a larger issue: America’s predominantly reactive approach to food safety.

As food safety experts with decades of experience in industry, academia, and policy, we’ve seen how these crises unfold time and again. Outbreaks make headlines, recalls are announced, and regulators investigate. Companies issue promises to invest in food safety measures, yet once public attention fades, many fall back into old habits. This familiar cycle is frustratingly persistent.

“I often describe this as the seemingly endless cycle of crisis and reform,” Darin explains. Hal echoes this sentiment: “When outbreaks occur, companies scramble to fix the immediate issue, but without systemic changes, the industry returns to the same practices. The cycle continues.”

It’s time to break this cycle. In this editorial, we reflect on the patterns we observed in 2024, discuss the urgent need for corporate accountability, and propose solutions for creating a more proactive, effective food safety system.

Observing the patterns of 2024
The breadth of recalls and outbreaks in 2024 has been described in the news as “staggering.” Incidents spanned nearly every sector of the food industry, including multi-state outbr...