Rapid response across EU stems foodborne illness outbreaks

Alert systems quickly tracked down sources of food poisoning

EU authorities say traceback from foodborne illness to contamination in food factories is happening faster, due to better alert systems and co-operation between member states.

On July 4, 2019, Ireland reported a cluster of cases of Salmonella Bredeney food poisoning, and issued an urgent inquiry in the EU’s Epidemic Intelligence Information System for Food and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses platform.

EU food alert systems went quickly into action, and on July 19, the Romanian producer who was tracked down as the source suspended processing activities, to proceed with sanitation and disinfection of the premises.