Britanny Saunier
Executive Director, Partnership for Food Safety Education
Food poisoning risk is real as home cooking rises
September is National Food Safety Month, a pivotal moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to preventing food poisoning. Together with more than 13,000 health and food safety educators, over 40 industry and association partners, and government agency partners, we can reduce risk, protect communities, and strengthen confidence in the food supply.
The stakes are clear. 41% of shoppers plan to make meals at home this fall, reflecting convenience, cost savings, and a renewed focus on health (FMI, 2025). All the while, the CDC estimates 48 million people will experience foodborne illness this year.
A stark reminder that risk remains real as home cooking rises.
At the same time, consumer confidence in food safety is slipping. Only 55% of Americans say they are confident in the U.S. food supply, down from 62% in 2024 and 70% in 2023 (IFIC). People want more transparency about what government and industry are doing to keep food safe (IFIC, 2025).
This is our collective opportunity to lead and to make visible the important work we are doing to support illness prevention. By uniting industry, government, and professional health and food safety educators, we can:
- Invest in public education campaigns proven to raise awareness.
- Support ongoing training for professionals working directly with communities.
- Transform food safety messages to be reflective of how people cook today and receive information – quickly, on a budget, and with appliances like air fryer
National Food Safety Month reminds us all of our role in preventing illness. Let’s carry that leadership forward every day, driving lasting change in consumer food safety practices.
Sources:
CDC (2024). About Food Safety.
https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/about/index.html#:~:text=Overview,are%20hospitalized%2C%20and%203%2C000%20die.
FMI-The Food Industry Association (August 2025). U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends.
https://www.fmi.org/our-research/research-reports/u-s-grocery-shopper-trends
IFIC (2025). Food and Health Survey.
https://ific.org/research/2025-ific-food-health-survey/