Food safety concerns are up and front in the country again, with recent recalls hitting the retail shelves of organically grown carrots, slivered onions, and liverwurst sold by brands that include Boar's Head and McDonald's. Some question whether these high-profile incidents herald deeper challenges for the U.S. food safety system. But experts caution not to panic-and they point to improvements in detection and response as reasons why recall news is so prominent.

While the increase in recalls may alarm, it could be a sign that foodborne illnesses are increasingly being found and handled faster rather than a sign of a failing system. Rutgers University food science department chair Don Schaffner said the tools of whole genome sequencing now allow health officials to pinpoint and track an outbreak with precision in a way that simply wasn't possible before. That quick identification allows public health officials to move fast-to interview victims, trace sources of contamination-when a problem surfaces.

Public health expert Craig Hedberg at the University of Minnesota comments that many of these outbreaks would have otherwise gone undetected. Advanced surveillance and laboratory analysis allow small clusters of illness to be linked directly to a source, so recalls can be issued and public advisories can be released on time.

"When these outbreaks are identified and investigated, steps can be taken to protect public health," Hedberg says. "That's why there's a strong interest in keeping the public informed." Food Recalls Are on the Rise, but is it Necessarily Bad News?

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses are by nature hard to predict. According to Schaffner, the recent clustering of high-profile incidents could simply be coincidental and not indicative of a systemic problem.

The eating habits and food production also make their contribution to the changes in food safety. Food safety expert Darin Detwiler from Northeastern University points out that the more people choose ready meals and restaurant meals, the greater the complexity of food supply chains becomes. Ingredients travel further, go through multiple processing steps, and change hands several times before consumers get them, and the possibilities of contamination increase.

Is the patchwork approach to blame for food safety regulation?

The U.S. food safety system operates on an intricate network of agencies, each covering different aspects of regulation; the USDA focuses on meat and poultry, while the FDA monitors most other food items, including overseeing recalls. In outbreak situations, the CDC works in conjunction with local health departments to investigate and contain the spread of illnesses.

Despite this overall framework, gaps in food safety can occur. Civil litigation serves as a safety net when food-borne diseases slip through regulatory cracks. According to Timothy Lytton, a professor at Georgia State College of Law, liability suits compel food producers to adhere to strict safety standards. Insurance companies, which cover potential risks, will also help through counseling and the promotion of incentives to minimize the risk involved.

Protecting Yourself from Foodborne Illness

As regulatory agencies and companies continue to work on the safety of food, it also remains crucially important for consumers to be proactive at home. Here are some steps:

1. Monitoring Food Recalls: Stay on top of recalls through FDA updates and remove affected products from your kitchen.

2. Hygiene and Its Practices: Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching and after handling food.

3. Wash Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Even those that are pre-washed should still be washed under running water to remove unseen bacteria, especially from crevices or wounded areas.

4. Prevent Cross-Contamination: Separate cutting boards and utensils must be used for raw meat and fresh fruits and vegetables.

5. Cook Food Properly: Meat, Poultry, and Seafood must be cooked to a safe internal temperature to kill harmful microorganisms.

While food recalls can be scary, they are also a reflection of advances in monitoring and responding to food safety. For instance, due to advances in technology and surveillance, outbreaks may now be detected and contained faster than ever before, thus mitigating the potential risks to public health.

Meanwhile, the increased complexity of the food industry underscores that vigilance needs to be taken at every step of the supply chain. With knowledge, safe food-handling practices, consumers can participate actively in protecting themselves and their families from foodborne diseases.

In the end, the increasing profile of food recalls is as much a story of solutions as of problems — reminding one and all that protecting our food supply is a shared responsibility that involves regulators, producers, and consumers.

When you lift heavy or workout, you feel like your muscles have been strained, this is because before you muscles are build, there are small muscle ruptures. More than exercise, what matters is what you eat to help you muscles recover. The process is called hypertrophy, when intentional, controlled micro-tears caused by resistance training trigger the body to repair and strengthen muscle fibers. This process requires a specific cycle of damage, rest, and nutrition to be effective.

University of North Carolina Health Wellness Services manager and a certified personal trainer Kathy DeBlasio also explains, "You make microtears in your muscles when you work them. As you heal, you gain muscle and strength." She explains that these tiny tears cause you to feel pain, but they heal within 24 to 48 hours. What matters the most is your diet. There are different foods that help you recover your muscles. Here is a list of 6 foods for you to consume for muscle recovery.

Chicken

Duke Health notes that chicken breast is a lean source of high-quality protein essential for repairing and building muscles. It is also rich in amino acids, especially leucine, which is important for muscle synthesis. A 2024 study in Physiological Reports, noted that chicken intake, combined with resistance training on muscle mass has helped improve strength and muscle mass of elderly women.

Cottage Cheese

Registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, RD told Paloton, “Cottage cheese can be a very nutritious addition to your diet from both a macro- and micronutrient standpoint." Pasquariello explained that half-cup serving of full-fat cottage cheese packs around 13 grams of protein. It helps as a building block of muscles, bones, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails. It also helps build and repair tissue. It oxygenates red blood cells to nourish your body with nutrients, helps regulate hormones, supports the production of enzymes used to digest food and create new cells. It also helps in repairing and building muscles.

Potatoes

A 2022 study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (MSSE) notes that that potatoes contain a 1.5 per cent protein based on their based on their fresh weight. However, when potatoes are used for starch extraction, a residue remains, that can be used to extract potato protein. Ingestion of 30 g potato protein concentrate increases muscle protein synthesis rates both at rest and during recovery from exercise.

Read: 14 Drinks Or More A Week Could Increase You Risk Of Colon Cancer By 25%

Pomegranate Juice

A 2016 study published in PLOS One notes that pomegranate supplementation accelerates recovery of muscle damage and soreness and inflammatory markers after a weightlifting training session. The study notes: "optimal dose of pomegranate supplementation, showed that either once-daily or twice-daily dietary pomegranate juice supplementation improves strength recovery of both leg and arm muscles after an unaccustomed eccentric exercise."

Eggs

Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD, a registered dietitian, specializing in sports writes: "Eggs have a unique nutrition profile that is great for athletes of all ages. While they make a nice addition to any meal of the day, the nutrients in eggs can help with recovery after exercise."

Fatty Fish

A 2024 study published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN notes that omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish could help increase muscle strength, however it does not increase in muscular mass. The study notes: "The interventions of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and resistance training show promise as a countermeasure against muscular dysfunction."

Collagen is essential for maintaining firm skin, prevent premature aging and regulates cell proliferation. While it is usually found in animal sources, many fruits and super foods acts rich sources.

Why Does Collagen Fall as You Age?

Here are natural collagen rich superfoods, you can consume:

Vitamin C Rich Fruits Guava, Amla, and kiwi help stimulate collagen supporting skin repair and hydration.

Strawberries are rich in polyphenols, reducing oxidative stress, while oranges provide hydration and vitamin for rebuilding the skin. These fruits are catalysts essential for youthful and resilient skin.

Meats

Leafy Greens and Nuts

Supplements

Collagen is the perfect ingredient for glowing skin and it is all over the internet–coffee, Collagen is added to coffee by mixing peptides which dissolve easily in hot liquid and powders that give comparatively quicker results. Type 1 Collagen is usually considered the best for skin.

Tiny but mighty, eating blueberries not only gives you a sweet taste but also can be extremely beneficial for your entire body.

Extremely rich in antioxidants called anthocyanins, they help with slowing down brain aging. Along with this, the fruit also helps regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels, overall improving cardiovascular health.

Although they might sound beneficial, they are pricey and inaccessible to a majority of the public.

However, experts have now revealed that guava can provide the body with more benefits than blueberries at half the price.

Why Is Guava Better Than Blueberries?Guavas are living proof that appearances are deceptive. Packed with nearly five times more Vitamin C (about 228mg) and loaded with digestive fibers, this winter fruit is perfectly suited for everyday snacking.

According to Healthline, a single guava can fulfill 12 percent of your recommended daily intake of fiber. A 2025 overview by PubMed also shows that guava leaves have been researched for managing blood sugar levels.

Guavas contain soluble fibers which slow down the digestion and absorption of sugars, preventing sudden spikes in glucose levels. Previous research also shows that regular consumption can help improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles, benefiting metabolic health.

With significantly higher Vitamin C content than blueberries, this fruit supports collagen production and gives you brighter skin and protection against premature aging.

Which Other Fruits Are Rich in Antioxidants?

While cranberries support urinary tract health by preventing bacterial adhesion and reducing inflammation, strawberries are rich in Vitamin C and folate and help with blood sugar regulation which can help stabilize glucose levels.

After all the environmental damage and aging that you have caused your skin, it deserves the utmost care and protection to rebuild and glow.

While blueberries have been linked to improving skin texture, goji berries are far rich in flavonoids that can neutralize free radicals, boost collagen and protect against UV damage.

Blackberries and raspberries are excellent sources that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

Experts recommend incorporating a mix of these fruits in your diet to help repair your DNA, reduce inflammation and prevent chronic conditions.