Review of 2014
July: Top 10 foodborne parasite list to create public awareness
We had written a lot about pathogens, not so much about parasites. All that changed in July.
A "Top Ten" list identifying foodborne parasites of greatest global concern has been released to create public awareness around the issue.
The top ten ranking is a general, global perspective and does not necessary reflect parasite rankings at a national level, said the report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Rankings are based on the parasites' burden on human health and includes information on where they can be found.
Findings will be discussed during the next session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene in Lima, Peru from November 17-21, 2014.
Twenty-two nations and one regional body contributed, followed by an assessment and analysis by 21 experts on the impact of foodborne parasites. An initial list of 93 parasites was developed and then narrowed down to the 24 most damaging.