Impact of Foodborne Illnesses and the Crucial Role of Immunoassay Tests

Foodborne illnesses have significant economic repercussions worldwide. To combat this issue, the development of rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection and diagnostic methods has become crucial. This article aims to shed light on the impact of foodborne pathogens and emphasize the importance of immunoassays as essential food safety test kits for the food market and consumers.

History Perspective on Foodborne Illnesses

Foodborne illnesses have plagued humans throughout history. The first suggested case of foodborne illness was presented by doctors from the University of Maryland, who think that Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C. from typhoid fever, which is caused by Salmonella Typhi [1]. Other notable historical figures, such as King Henry I and President Zachary Taylor, also fell victim to foodborne illnesses. [2]. These instances highlight the longstanding impact of foodborne bacteria on human health.

In the modern world, news outlets frequently report outbreaks of foodborne illnesses or recalls. Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 Americans get sick from contaminated food or beverages [3]. This statistic suggests that individuals may experience one or more food-related diseases during their lifetime.

The Economic Implications of Foodborne Illnesses

Consuming high-quality food is important for both public health and economic development. In the United States alone, the CDC estimates approximately 76 million foodborne illnesses, leading to 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths each year [6]. The associated costs of these illnesses and fatalities are estimated to range between $5 billion and $6 billion annually [6], potentially disrupting national economic growth.

To illustrate the economic impact, consider the recent contamination of whey products with Clostridium botulinum in New Zealand. The company responsible suffered a loss of over $60 million within hours of announcing the potential contamination [4]. Furthermore, countries like China, Russia, and Sri Lanka imposed temporary bans on New Zealand’s dairy products [4]. This outbreak not only affected the company’s revenue but also damaged the country’s reputation, illustrating the severe long-term economic consequences.

Cost-effective Food Safety Products

Considering food safety investment can be cost-effective for global food distributors. As international food trade volume increases, companies face growing pressure to compete globally. This pressure may lead to reduced quality control, resulting in food-related issues [4]. However, economic analyses demonstrate that investing in food safety is more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of an outbreak [5]. This fact is exemplified by the case of the aforementioned New Zealand company. Furthermore, a report by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement states that the average annual cost of food safety investment is $604,000 [7], while the estimated market losses for U.S. producers were $12 million at the farm level and $63 million at the retail level [5]. This reveals that effective food safety tests can help mitigate significant economic losses for food providers.

The Role of IVD in Preventing Outbreaks

Growing concerns regarding foodborne diseases highlight the need for reliable and efficient screening methods. In this regard, the utilization of rapid and convenient immunochromatographic assays can prove beneficial for food distributors. Traditional testing methods, such as plating through cell culture, can take several days to a week or more to generate confirmed results [8]. Moreover, they require expert knowledge to ensure adherence to good laboratory practices [8]. Conversely, lateral flow immunochromatographic assays are commonly easier to use, time-efficient, sensitive, and cost-effective compared to conventional methods [9]. These characteristics make them ideal for robust testing, ensuring high food quality standards, and supporting the increasingly competitive nature of the food market.

Implementing LFIA tests as part of food safety protocols empowers distributors to proactively safeguard public health and maintain product integrity. These tests, with their rapidity, sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness, are valuable tools in the ongoing battle against foodborne diseases.

Artron's Specialized LFIA Diagnostic Tests

Artron Laboratories Inc. is an experienced provider of immunoassay tests, specializing in food safety testing. With a focus on excellence and innovation, we offer cutting-edge solutions to ensure the safety and quality of food products. Backed by a team of top scientists and researchers, we continuously strive to enhance the effectiveness of our tests. Our adherence to international quality management systems, such as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485, demonstrates our commitment to accuracy and reliability.

Our strip and cassette formats cater to specific requirements and substances, enabling testing of various sample types. For example, we offer tests for Aflatoxin, Chloramphenicol, Clenbuterol, Salbutamol, Ractopamine, and numerous other substances. They are suitable for testing multiple sample types, including grains, oil, animal tissues, dairy products, and more.

Investing in our advanced food safety test kits allows you to protect consumers, maintain brand reputation, and reduce economic losses. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more and take proactive measures for a safer food industry.

For more news related to food safety, check out our website at news - Artron Laboratories Inc.

References 

[1] Mishra, Shri K., Mengestab, A., & Khosa S. (2022, April 14). Historical Perspective and Medical Maladies of Alexander the Great. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9078372

[2] Litchfield, J. (2022, December 26). 15 Famous People Who Allegedly Died of Food Poisoning. 24/7 Wall St. Retrieved from https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/12/26/15-famous-people-who-allegedly-died-of-food-poisoning/2/

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). CDC and Food Safety. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/cdc-and-food-safety.html

[4] Hussain M. A. & Dawson C. O. (2013, Dec 2). Economic Impact of Food Safety Outbreaks on Food Businesses. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302274/

[5] Ribera L. A., Palma M. A., Paggi M., Knutson R., Masabni J. G., & Anciso J. (2012). Economic Costs and Trade Impacts of Food Safety Outbreaks in the Fresh Produce Industry. HortTechnology, 22(2), 150-156. Retrieved from https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/22/2/article-p150.xml

[6] Mead, P. S., Slutsker, L., Dietz, V., McCaig, L. F., Bresee, J. S., Shapiro, C., … & Tauxe, R. V. (1999). Food-related illness and death in the United States. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 5(5), 607-625. Retrieved from https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/5/5/99-0502_article

[7] Prevor, J. (2008, Feb 27). Leafy Green Marketing Agreement Reviews Its Audits and Actions — New Report Released. Perishable Pundit. Retrieved from https://perishablepundit.com/leafy-green-marketing-agreement-reviews-its-audits-and-actions-new-report-released/

[8] Philpott, A. C. (n/a). A Summary Profile of Pathogen Detection Technologies. Food Safety Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.food-safety.com/articles/3931-a-summary-profile-of-pathogen-detection-technologies

[9] Lei H., Wang Z., Eremin S. A., & Liu Z. (2022, Mar 14). Application of Antibody and Immunoassay for Food Safety. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8948748/