At a time when the public gets upset over much less significant issues, it is vital that we make sure we wash our hands, cook foods thoroughly, keep cold foods cold, keep hot foods hot, and don t inadvertently cross-contaminate foods. In the 20th century, sanitation probably prolonged more lives than all the medical breakthroughs combined. Fortunately, we are making headway against apathy. The CDC reported that concerted efforts to battle the problem resulted in a 20-percent drop in the incidence of foodborne illness between 1997 and 1999. We must stay vigilant.
More people are aware of the tie between eating and chronic disease in our nation.
The USDA reports that four of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States are diet-related. Poor diet and inactivity are blamed for 300,000 deaths each year. America is heavy and getting heavier. During the past five years for which there is data, national per-person caloric intake has gone up. And after a 30-year decline, caloric intake from fat went up too, though not as a percentage of the total diet.