Scientists offer 18 recommendations as a platform to focus and stimulate efforts toward food safety improvements.

Foodborne bacteria cause as many as 9,000 deaths in the United States annually; yet scientifically proven safe, low doses of pasteurizing radiation can kill over 99% of most foodborne bacteria. Radiation pasteurization safely controls foodborne pathogens on beef, pork, lamb, and seafood.

Better data on microbial risks are needed to make the U.S. food supply safer. Cochairs: Peggy M. Foegeding, Department of Food Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, and Tanya Roberts, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.