How to prevent diseases (salmonellosis and others) caused by the consumption of contaminated food

Many cases of food poisoning and infection are caused by the consumption of contaminated food from bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals. But how can they? prevent diseases transmitted through food, such as salmonellosis, listeriosis, echinococcosis? The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Ministry of Health launched the #EUChooseSafeFood campaign at a conference at the Ministry to mark World Food Safety Day, which falls on June 7. “The purpose of this third edition of the campaign – explains Dr. Alberto Spagnolli, EFSA’s senior policy adviser from – is to help citizens understand the importance of the L
The work of scientific experts to make the food on our tables safe and at the same time of Help them to develop awareness and critical sense in the food choices they make every day».

Controls throughout the agri-food chain

The European Union’s food safety system ensures that every citizen has the right to it know the methods with which the food it consumes is produced, processed, packaged, labeled and sold. The scientists of the Union they review scientific data and research to assess nutritional risks. This makes me Products in our markets and in our stores Certainly.
In our country, to protect health even at the table, periodic che checks in the agri-food chain through the Nas – Anti-refinement units of the carabinieri, in agreement with the Ministry of Health. In the past year, the Nas has carried out more than 27,000 inspections confiscatedtherefore also deducted from the tables of the Italians eight thousand tons of “irregular” food that is, unfit for consumption due to unknown origin, poor hygienic-sanitary conditions, storage in unsuitable environments, presence of obvious signs of alteration or with expired best-before dates.

Foodborne illnesses, how to prevent them

This year, there are three focus areas of the 2023 edition of the #EUChooseSafeFood campaign, which will run until September: foodborne illness, contaminants, bee health (and close correlation to crops that rely on pollination). If it is true that the Contamination can occur anywhere in the food chain – on the farm, during slaughter, processing or preparation – can take place even at home, if the food is not handled or cooked correctly, as the EFSA experts remember. So it is recommended to do that beware of improper use of utensils or surfaces: may promote the spread of bacteria That come into contact with food to be eaten.
In addition, they can prevent or limit the risk of these microorganisms: the safe handling of raw meat
and other raw food ingredients such as vegetables eaten without cooking; over there cook correctly of food and aefficient hygiene in the kitchen.

Salmonellosis, how to prevent it

Over there Salmonella
is a type of bacteria capable of causing a disease in humans called salmonellosis, the EFSA experts explain. More than 91,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in Europe each year. Salmonella is found in foods mainly in eggs and raw pork, turkey and chicken. It can be transferred to people by contaminated food.
It is therefore essential to observe basic hygiene rules when preparing food. «At home you can help prevent salmonella infection by thoroughly cooking eggs and meat – says Valentina Rizzi, EFSA food microbiologist -. In general, it is convenient observe basic hygiene rules during food preparation
as the wash hands regularly And keep raw food away from cooked food; this will reduce the risks of foodborne illness.”

Echinococcosis, how to prevent it

Cystic echinococcosis is a disease of parasitic origin, caused by infection – by small tapeworm worms – which occurs through the accidental ingestion of eggs of parasites, which develop into large parasitic cysts in the human body; for example, if food or water contaminated with feces from infected dogs is ingested or through hand-to-mouth contact. Amid risky food there are the vegetables
intended for raw consumptionwhich are grown on the ground and can therefore be contaminated with infected feces. It can cause an infection in the domestic environment – think of the initiators of the campaign promoted by EFSA – a poor hand hygiene and the consumption of unwashed and undercooked food (e.g. vegetables), contaminated with echinococcus eggs. Here are a few precautionary measures Recommended by experts to prevent cystic echinococcosis:
• wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly;
• fencing of gardens to prevent stray dogs from entering;
• wash your hands before eating, especially after touching the ground, raw vegetables or dogs.

Contaminants in food products, what you need to know

Contamination generally has a negative impact on the quality of food products and can pose a risk to human health. The European Union has adopted regulatory provisions target to ensure that no unsafe food enters the market and to introduce mechanisms to identify safety issues throughout the agri-food chain.
Between environmental contaminants foods to watch out for are dioxins and metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury). For example, EFSA experts report: traces of mercury they are found in certain fish species, including swordfish, pike, tuna, salmon and hake, and in some seafood, such as shrimp, squid and mussels. For this reason, the European Commission has drawn up some of them maximum levels of mercury in various food products.

What do bees have to do with food safety?

We depend on bees for most of our food. Their role in the pollination of entomophilic plants and agricultural crops is fundamental, as EFSA experts point out. If the number of bees decreases, along with a loss of biodiversity, we could have them strongly negative consequences also for food production
that we consume every day. Bees are also essential for the production of honey and other beehive products, including pollen and royal jelly as nutritional supplements and ingredients, wax for cosmetics, the pharmaceutical and furniture industries, and propolis for food technology and medicine. In recent years, beekeepers have reported hive depopulation and bee extinction in several parts of Europe, including Italy. No single cause has been identified, but many factors may have contributed, including effects of intensive agriculture and incorrect use of pesticides. Monitoring programs have been activated at European and global level to prevent this find solutions to protect bees.