What are the potential costs to a store due to a food borne illness outbreak?

A foodborne illness outbreak can have severe financial implications for a store. One of the most significant costs associated with such an outbreak is the potential for lawsuits and legal fees. If customers believe they got sick as a result of consuming food from the establishment, they may choose to take legal action, which leads to legal expenses for the store.

Additionally, the decrease in revenue is also a critical factor. An outbreak can lead to a loss of consumer trust, resulting in fewer customers wanting to dine at the establishment. This decline in customer foot traffic translates to lower sales and decreased profitability during and after the incident.

While marketing expenses, employee training costs, and supply chain expenses can be affected in various ways due to an outbreak, the most direct and immediate consequences in terms of costs are related to legal troubles and the drop in revenue. These are essential factors that a store must consider when evaluating the risks associated with food safety.