Stricter Monitoring Of Certain Key Countries Could Help Lessen Food Poisoning Outbreaks

The increasing complexity of the global food traffic network makes it extremely difficult to determine the source of food poisoning outbreaks, a multinational study has found. The problem arises when foods contain ingredients from numerous sources. A recent study found, for example, that an ordinary “Chicken Kiev” dish served in a Dublin (Ireland) restaurant contained ingredients from 53 countries. Using information gleaned from agro-food import-export databases, the authors found that the food-transport network has highly vulnerable hotspots. A number of countries – especially those that take in many ingredients, process these into products, and act as distribution hubs – are critical. Stricter monitoring of these countries could benefit the network globally.