Dr Cory Couillard

Food-related disease kills millions of people throughout the world every year.  More than 200 diseases are known to be spread through food.  This alarming fact has caused food safety to become a major public health priority.  Serious outbreaks of foodborne disease have been documented on every continent in the past decade according to the World Health Organization (WHO).   Diarrheal diseases alone will kill an estimated 1.5 million children in low-to-middle income countries.   Most of these illnesses are attributed to contaminated food or water. Proper food handling and preparation can prevent most foodborne diseases. New diseases tied to food According to WHO, about 75% of the new infectious diseases affecting humans over the past 10 years were caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens that started in animals and animal products.  A critical evaluation is underway to improve the standards from slaughter houses to food marke...