{
  "id": 6149202,
  "title": "The grocery aisle's new double whammy: price and safety",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/the-grocery-aisles-new-double-whammy-price-and-safety",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-07T15:40:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Axios",
    "slug": "axios",
    "url": "https://www.axios.com/2026/09/07/food-safety-concerns-grocery-inflation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recurring theme among Americans is the feeling that they are paying exorbitant prices for groceries, only to have them recalled and forced to discard the items. While factors such as trade and energy costs influence grocery prices, the safety net designed to protect consumers is weakening, resulting in a dual crisis of affordability and safety. The typical American family spends over $10,000 annually on groceries, with two-thirds of people believing they are paying too much. Prices have risen by more than 18% since 2022, although some foods have seen larger or smaller increases.\n\nLauren Borsheim, a food policy analyst at Food & Water Watch, warns that \"it can be really, really scary out there.\" She attributes this fear to the fact that the Trump administration has dismantled many of the safety measures needed to maintain a secure food supply. The public is concerned that while they are spending more on food, it may also pose health risks.\n\nCurrently, recalls are at typical levels for the fiscal year, with 5,504 products recalled in 2026, up slightly from 5,461 in 2025 but down from 6,524 in 2024. However, the FDA has recently handled a record 19 simultaneous outbreak investigations, ranging from infant formula to jalapeños.\n\nExperts argue that mega-corporations and corporate consolidation exacerbate problems, as a single supplier's error can lead to widespread recalls. Christopher Barrett, an economist at Cornell University, emphasizes the impact of the U.S. food safety system's decline since the Trump administration reduced federal workers across the CDC, FDA, and USDA. This reduction in inspections means fewer checks on food products, leading to a higher likelihood of foodborne illnesses and more expensive recalls.\n\nThe USDA and FDA declined to comment on the matter. While high-profile recalls are occurring alongside ongoing grocery inflation, the two issues are not directly linked. Instead, the war in Iran is driving up energy prices, trade policies and specific weather events are affecting individual food categories, and tariffs have impacted Mexican tomatoes and delicate fruits like citrus.\n\nIn summary, while inflation makes groceries more expensive, weakening federal oversight makes them less safe to consume.",
  "summary": "Plenty of Americans feel like they're forking over a fortune for groceries —only to get hit with a recall notice that forces them to throw that expensive food out. Why it matters: While grocery prices are driven by complex trade and energy costs, the safety net meant to keep them safe to eat is fraying, creating a dual crisis of affordability and safety. The average American household pays more…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}