Food News

The EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) and the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) have published the EU One Health Zoonoses Report 2024. It deals with the monitoring of zoonoses in the EU and other countries.

Foodborne zoonoses are diseases in humans caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi through the consumption of food. The report contains the results of the monitoring and surveillance of zoonoses carried out in 2024 in 27 EU Member States, the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) and eight non-Member States. It is based on the Zoonoses Directive 2003/99/EC.

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis were the most frequently reported diseases, followed by infections with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Listeriosis ranked fourth and was the most serious zoonosis. It led to the most hospitalisations and had the highest mortality rate. In 2024, there was an increase in foodborne outbreaks in the 27 Member States and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) compared to 2023. At the same time, the number of deaths decreased. Salmonella caused the most outbreaks in several countries. Salmonella in ‘eggs and egg products’ was particularly worrying.

YOUR PLUS: AGROLAB food laboratories test raw materials, ingredients and finished foods for microbiological safety. Foods that are not reheated before consumption and are intended to be eaten raw, such as fruit, vegetables, raw fish and seafood, tartare and minced meat, as well as raw milk cheese, pose a particular risk. These risks can be minimised by regular checks on operational hygiene and end products.

Author: Dr Frank Mörsberger, AGROLAB GROUP