The number of recorded food poisoning cases this year has increased by 40 per cent, though there has been a reduction in the most serious cases caused by salmonella and E.coli 0157, according to figures released by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
The number of food poisoning cases, excluding salmonella, reached 1,570 for the first 11 months of this year, compared to 1,121 for all of 1998. Salmonella cases (excluding typhoid caused by salmonella) in the 11-month period declined by 32 per cent to 923, compared to 1,211 in 1998. E.coli 0157 cases total 43 so far this year, compared to 78 last year - a drop of 45 per cent.
The FSAI chief executive, Dr Patrick Wall, said yesterday that some aspects of the figures indicated a welcome trend, notably with salmonella and E.coli 0157, but there was no room for complacency. Where initiatives were taken to reduce risk, these had translated into tangible reductions in food poisoning outbreaks, he believed. This was notable with an initiative to reduce salmonella in eggs with the back-up of a quality assurance scheme. Similarly, a clean cattle initiative with livestock brought for slaughter had helped on the E.coli front.
The figures, however, may represent as few as 10 per cent of real totals as, until recently, the recording of cases was haphazard. Dr Wall said that with GPs and hospitals now submitting more samples for analysis, this could be partially reflected in the large increase - equally, there were indications that people were becoming more litigious when it comes to food poisoning and so wished to confirm cases. In contrast, there were increased risks, such as those associated with eating out more and a heavier dependence on convenience foods.
Dr Wall said he believed a new approach to food safety in the Republic was now needed. There had been enough of telling people of the risks. "From next year, we should start reducing the risk rather than just telling people about the risk. There should be more monitoring of the food chain," he said.
The successful introduction of the egg assurance scheme indicated such controls could be introduced effectively with other food items. While the E.coli 0157 figures looked good, his "big worry" was with this bacterium, which can be fatal for the very young, older people and those with compromised immune systems. "I don't think we are eliminating it. We are just controlling it."
