Foodborne Illness on the Rise

Article

CHICAGO - A new report suggests increased travel and imports of foreign-grown foods have led to a jump in parasitic infections caused by contaminated food.

Researchers, who have written the new peer-reviewed Scientific Status Summary Parasies and the Food Supply report, suggest more attention to foodborne illness and parasites is necessary to protect those who are immunocompromised.

The report says there are more than 100 known parasites that can be found in the food supply and that more than 12 outbreaks of foodborne illness since the 1980s can be directly tied to the microscopic bugs.

The most prevalent parasite -- Toxoplasma gondii -- is responsible for causing more than 2 million cases of food and beverage-borne illnesses in the United States annually. The parasite is also responsible for more than 20 percent of all deaths related to foodborne illness.

The report describes new technologies underway to prevent and identify parasites. Methods in development include UV irradiation, hydrostatic pressure and ozone inactivation.

The report was sponsored by the not-for-profit scientific society The Institute of Food Technologists. For additional information, log on to: www.ift.org.

Recent Videos
Mark Wiencek, PhD
Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC
The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.
Studying for the CIC using a digital tablet and computer (Adobe Stock 335828989 by NIKCOA)
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL,  CER, CFER, CRCST
Matthias Tschoerner, Dr Sc
Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection
Concept images of Far-UVC  (Adobe Stock 316993517 by hopenv)
Related Content