Foodborne Illness: Is It on the Rise - Thesis Example

This kind of increasing incidence is alarming, especially with the widespread effects of the latest outbreaks. Most recently, approximately 500 million eggs were recalled because of salmonella in two Iowa producers, From this incident, 2,000 illnesses were reported between May and July, which is significantly higher than the average rate of Salmonella poisoning (Welte, 2010). In this specific case, experts presumed the hen houses in which the eggs are produced were also home to rodents, which can taint food products with salmonella bacteria. There is no indication from these sources that a violation of HACCP procedures occurred, or that the cause of the salmonella was the result of an accident.

In many cases of an outbreak, it is best to treat the effects of the problem immediately before addressing its cause (Anders & Caswell, 2009). By the use of good agricultural practices at the first stage, which includes rigorous use of the HACCP program, good manufacturing practices, and standard operating procedures for sanitation.

Part of this commitment to food safety might include training employees to avoid food contamination by properly sanitizing equipment and food-contact surfaces and preventing cross-contamination. In the home, consumers must handle food safely, follow preparation recommendations, and avoid undercooked food (Nyachuba, 2010).