(CNN) – We're learning for the first time just how much tainted food is costing America in money and lives, thanks to a landmark report by the Produce Safety Project.
The study estimates food-borne illnesses like E. coli and Salmonella sicken 76 million people a year, and kill about five thousand more, ultimately costing the U.S. more than a $150 billion a year.
That's more than four times the government's original estimate made over a decade ago.
One of the architects of the report, Erik Olson, joined us on Wednesday's American Morning. He is the director of food and consumer product safety for the Pew Health Group.
We were also joined by Elizabeth Armstrong and her 5-year-old daughter Ashley. Ashley nearly died from kidney failure after contracting E. Coli from tainted spinach four years ago.