Published: 2024-03-07 by, News Team in the Health & Medical news category

Foodborne Illness Epidemic Strikes UK Post Brexit

Recent data from the National Health Service (NHS) has unveiled a disconcerting surge in hospital admissions related to foodborne illnesses in England. The figures, spanning from April 2022 to March 2023, present an unsettling scenario with admissions for salmonella infections reaching an unprecedented 1,468 cases. This spike translates to a rate of three admissions for every 100,000 people, marking an all-time high.

Further analysis of the NHS data reveals that other common foodborne illnesses, namely E. coli and campylobacter, have also soared to record levels over the past two years. Hospital admissions for campylobacter, an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, surpassed 4,340 cases in 2023, with a rate of nine per 100,000 people. This stark increase from the three cases per 100,000 people recorded in 2000 underscores the gravity of the situation.

Experts attribute the surge in foodborne illnesses to a confluence of factors, including a weakening regulatory focus, diminished importation standards post-Brexit, and local authority budget cuts. While the UK Food Standards Authority points to improved detection as a contributing factor, critics argue that the overall decline in regulatory scrutiny has exacerbated the issue.

The data indicates a significant departure from trends observed a decade ago when admissions for salmonella infections reached their lowest point at 834 cases in 2013. Fast forward ten years, and the numbers have risen by a staggering 76%, prompting concerns about the state of food safety in the country.

Professor Tim Lang, an expert in food policy at City University, expressed little surprise at the surge, suggesting that there would likely be more cases until public awareness prompts a collective demand for change. He urged the British public to question the acceptability of such risks, emphasizing the need to prioritize food safety over convenience.

Notably, the rise in foodborne illnesses is not solely attributed to domestic factors. In 2023, more than 200 people fell ill from a variant of salmonella linked to poultry and eggs imported from Poland. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) initiated discussions with officials in Poland and the EU to enhance the safety of such imports, urging caution among consumers when handling and cooking poultry products at home.

Professor Lang further highlighted the impact of budget cuts on local hygiene officers and the FSA, pointing out that leaving the European Union had removed a structure with a significant focus on inspection and quality control. As the NHS underscores, food poisoning results from consuming contaminated food, emphasizing the need for thorough cooking, proper storage, and vigilant hygiene practices to safeguard public health. The alarming surge in hospital admissions for foodborne illnesses signals a critical need for comprehensive measures to address these pressing concerns and ensure the safety of the food supply chain in England.

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