Foodborne illness is a
global public health concern. In a recent study, it has been estimated that in
Canada each year there are 1.6 million and 2.4 million episodes of domestically
acquired foodborne illness related to 30 known pathogens and unspecified agents,
respectively, for a total estimate of 4.0 million episodes of domestically
acquired foodborne illness in the country. Norovirus, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter spp., and nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. are the leading pathogens and
account for approximately 90% of the pathogen-specific total. Approximately one
in eight Canadians experience an episode of domestically acquired foodborne
illness each year in Canada
Source: M. Kate Thomas, Regan
Murray, Logan Canada
