Food safety

Food allergies more common among adults in the U.S.

Illustration of a grocery bag with warning labels for milk, sesame, eggs, wheat, and shellfish.
Illustration:Aïda Amer/Axios

Groundbreaking new research has found that nearly 11% of U.S. adults have a food allergy, more than many expected, with a substantial number acquiring the allergies as adults.

Why it matters: Allergies force major accommodations to protect the vulnerable. This is a problem you'd expect to lessen with modern medicine, but it seems to be getting worse.

FDA suspends routine inspections of food supply due to shutdown

Romaine lettuce and vegetables displayed in store.
Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

As the partial government shutdown continues in its 3rd week, the Food and Drug Administration has suspended all routine inspections of domestic food-processing facilities, the Washington Post reports.

Why it matters: The FDA inspects 80% of the U.S. food supply, meaning the food most Americans eat could potentially be less safe and cause an increase in foodborne illnesses. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb told the Post that he's working on a plan to bring back furloughed inspectors at "high-risk facilities, which handle foods such as soft cheese or seafood," as soon as next week.

Go deeper: All the ways Americans are feeling the effects of the shutdown