Biological Risks

The EFSA has delivered a Scientific Opinion on a Quantitative estimate of the public health impact of setting a new target for the reduction of Salmonella in laying hens.

The quantitative risk assessment model used to support this Scientific Opinion suggests a linear relationship between the flock prevalence as currently observed in different MSs and the number of eggs contaminated with S. enteritidis.

Based on the median estimates from the model, changing from the EU average flock prevalence reported in 2008 (3.1% for Salmonella Enteritidis) to a transitional EU target of 2% is expected to result in an approximately one third reduction in the number of Salmonella enteritidis contaminated eggs produced the EU. Changing the EU target from 2% to 1% of flocks remaining positive would result in a further reduction of a similar order of magnitude in the number of contaminated eggs produced in the EU.

EFSA Opinion

The EFSA has assessed the public health risks from Salmonella in pigs and the impact of possible control measures.

The assessment suggests that pigs and pig meat may be responsible for 10 to 20% of all human cases of salmonellosis in the EU - but with differences between countries - and that controlling Salmonella more effectively within the pig meat food chain would have a direct impact on reducing the number of human cases.

EFSA opinion

Scientific Report on the reduction in the prevalence of anisakiosis in humans - AESAN - 2009 In May 2009, the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has assessed the incidence of the elimination of fish or parts of fish in relation to the reduction in the prevalence of anisakiosis in humans.

The proliferation of fishing in all fishing-grounds, with the subsequent elimination of viscera and other remnants of fish and cephalopods thrown overboard has increased the prevalence of Anisakis among those species remaining in the sea, so it seems appropriate for the competent authorities to promote the prior application of technological treatments (freezing, etc.) to the discarded fish waste before it is thrown into the sea to ensure the inactivation of any Anisakis larvae.

Scientific Report Anisakis

The EFSA has issued a Risk Assessment on parasites in fishery products, concluding that the only parasite in fishery products that is implicated in allergic reaction is the nematode Anisakis simplex and that the primary initiator of the different forms of allergy is via infection by live larvae.

All wild caught seawater and freshwater fish must be considered at risk of containing any viable parasites of human health concern if these products are to be eaten raw or almost raw.

EFSA recommends that co-ordinated studies to improve surveillance and diagnostic awareness of allergic reactions to parasites in fishery products should be implemented, and encourage epidemiological studies on a European scale to assessing the impact of A. simplex parasitized fish on human associated disease, including all allergic forms.

EFSA Risk Assessment

The French Food Safety Agency (AFSSA) has issued a report on the Risk Assessment on Q Fever. In this way, a Working Group was created to assess the risk of the illness for the public health, for the animal health and to establish measures to prevent the risk.

This Working Group has recommended a pilot study to be made in the field to allow an appraisal to be made of the diagnostic and prevention methods. Likewise, it would be necessary to apply hygiene measures, antibiotic treatments and vaccination on infected farms identified as excreters of Coxiella burnetti. Milk coming from these farms should be pasteurised at 72º C for 15 seconds.

Risk assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods In response to a request from the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), World Health Organisation (OMS) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have published the risk assessment on Listeria monocytogenes developed by an international team of scientists. The work includes four assessments addressing the risk of listeriosis associated with pasteurized milk, ice cream, fermented meats and cold-smoked fish. Also, the report provides answers to the specific risk management questions posed by the CCFH and it outlines issues to be considered when implementing control measures.

full report