Europe targets listeria

A new European Union EU scientific study recommends that the European Commission set up a system to track listeria infections in the region. This means that processors will be under pressure to prevent the bacteria from entering the food chain. Outbreaks of listeriosis lead to the death of about 20 per cent to 30 per cent of those infected, one of the highest case fatality rates of all the foodborne diseases in the EU. "Changes in the way food is produced, distributed and stored have created the potential for diffuse and widespread outbreaks involving many countries," the report's authors stated. Between 1991 and 2002, the study period, a total of 19 outbreaks of invasive listeriosis were reported in nine different countries, with a total of 526 outbreak related cases.

 

Food Traceability 2006 conference will be held on February 1-2 2006 in Dallas, USA. This hot topic is driven by health scares, bioterrorism and new laws. It will become the largest RFID application but we cover DNA and many other vital technologies as well. For further details please visit www.trackingfood.com 

 

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