— OPINION —

Hands-up if you had bongkrekic acid, botulism, and supplements on your bingo card as being the things that would cause significant outbreaks in 2024. It is fair to say, I didn’t.

This year saw two major incidents in Asia involving bongkrekic acid and contaminated supplements as well

Continue Reading 2024: From bongkrekic acid and botulism to Italy’s Salmonella surprise

Scientists have found an increase in botulism and salmonellosis in Ukraine compared to before the invasion by Russia.

To analyze the war’s effects on infectious disease epidemiology, researchers used open-source data on eight diseases from EPIWATCH, an artificial intelligence early-warning system.

They looked at patterns of infectious diseases before and

Continue Reading Researchers analyze the impact of the Ukraine war on foodborne pathogens

A couple of people are sick in Germany with botulism after eating pickled mushrooms from Russia.

The two confirmed cases were caused by botulinum neurotoxin A. They had symptom onset in April and May. Both ill people consumed a mushroom-in-brine preserve of milk-white brittlegill.

A laboratory in Germany, located at

Continue Reading Botulism affects two in Germany; link to Russian product

Ukraine has appealed for help to keep its food control system running during the Russian invasion and called for less strict trade measures to boost exports.

Comments were made about how the conflict with Russia was affecting food safety, plant health, and animal welfare via a statement at a recent

Continue Reading Ukraine tells of war impact on food safety at meeting of World Trade Organization

National authorities have issued a range of guidance because of the conflict in Ukraine affecting the food supply chain.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said it was aware that businesses may be having difficulties with the supply of some foods such as sunflower oil and other raw materials
Continue Reading National agencies allow flexibility because of Ukraine-related supply issues