Food Safety for Older Adults — Elevated Risk and How to Manage It

Why older adults are more vulnerable

As we age, the immune system becomes less efficient at recognizing and fighting pathogens. Lower stomach acid production means fewer pathogens are killed before reaching the intestines. Chronic conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease) and medications (antacids, immunosuppressants) can further increase susceptibility. Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 are particularly dangerous for adults 65 and older.

High-risk foods for older adults

The FDA recommends that adults 65 and older take extra precautions with the same foods recommended for immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women: deli meats (eat only if heated to steaming), soft cheeses from unpasteurized milk, raw sprouts, undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized juice, and refrigerated smoked fish. These foods carry the highest risk of Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli contamination.

Same-day recall alerts for high-risk foods

Panko Alerts delivers recalls on high-risk food categories the same day they're issued. Recalls are scored by urgency using AI — a Listeria recall on a nationally distributed deli meat gets flagged immediately. For older adults and their caregivers, catching recalls the day they're issued rather than days later can make a meaningful difference.

Protect older adults in your care — free for 7 days

Real-time food safety alerts from 25+ government sources. AI-scored by urgency. Less than one bad meal a month — $4.99/mo.