Global surveillance needed to prevent foodborne disease

In the interest of improving their diet and health, consumers have increased their demand for fresh fruits and vegetables. Meeting this demand has stimulated worldwide trade in fresh produce. Several highly publicized outbreaks of foodborne disease highlight the risks of fresh produce being contaminated during growing, harvesting, processing or transportation. These outbreaks have included domestic as well as imported produce. However, two factors — the challenge of implementing and maintaining good agricultural practices in developing countries, and the potential for produce contamination with exotic microorganisms that can cause foodborne disease — raise special concerns about the safety of imported produce. Investigating outbreaks of foodborne disease can identify new foodborne disease hazards and lead to new strategies to prevent and control them. A strong system of public-health surveillance for foodborne disease provides a foundation for risk management of worldwide food distribution.