Foodborne illnesses are caused by the consumption of contaminated food or drinks with its effects ranging from mild malaise, diarrhea, lifelong disability or sometimes death.
There are some surprising facts that most people do not know about what is disclosed in the video “Foodborne Illness Outbreak investigation.” The first point states that pathogenic organisms can contaminate food before harvest. During the investigation process, potential victims may be asked what they ate for up to three weeks before the food poisoning symptoms. To increase the chances of observing bacteria from an outbreak sample, bacteria are grown by providing the nutrients and suitable conditions necessary for their growth. Another method for recovering bacteria and protozoa include the use of magnetic beads mixed with specific antibodies that the pathogens react to (UDCANR).
There are also some other interesting facts to note concerning food poisoning in the United States. There are more than 250 known food poisoning diseases with a majority being infectious from microbes and pathogens, but toxins, such as mercury and lead, can also cause the diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 48 million incidents related to food illnesses occur every year in the country that results in 128,000 hospitalized cases and 3,000 deaths. Most of these incidents are caused by norovirus that contributes to about 21 million attacks, 71,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths annually. The CDC also reports that 80% of the norovirus outbreaks take place in commercial settings, which is no surprise because Americans eat approximately 4.8 meals every week in these places. Food poisoning cases can also be attributed to the amount of imported foods consumed in the United States that is about 17% of the total food consumption. This is a major concern because only 1% of the food coming from abroad is inspected for safety issues.
Works cited
UDCANR. “Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation: Behind the Scences.” YouTube. YouTube, 6 May 2013. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
