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INFOSAN Quarterly Summary, 2023 #1 [1]

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Date: 2023-05

Food safety incidents

The INFOSAN Secretariat was involved in 47 food safety incidents concerning 53 WHO Member States (MS) and territories from all WHO regions during this first quarter of the year. There were twenty-eight incidents involving a biological hazard [Salmonella spp. (9), Listeria monocytogenes (6), E. coli (3), Clostridium botulinum (2), Hepatitis A (2), Anisakis (1), Cronobacter (1), Entamoeba histolytica (1), Leptospira (1), Norovirus (1), and Shigella (1)]; nine involving a chemical hazard [methanol (2), aflatoxins (1), chlorothalonil (1), ergot alkaloids (1), histamine (1), lead (1), nitrogen (1), and patulin (1)]; six involving an undeclared allergen/ingredient [peanuts (2), egg (1), gluten (1), milk (1), soy (1)]; three involving a physical hazard [glass (1), metal (1), stones (1)]; and one of an unknown hazard.

The food categories most commonly involved in the 47 incidents during the first quarter of 2023 were fish and other seafood (6), meat and meat products (6), composite foods (5), nuts and oilseeds (5), cereals and cereal based products (3), fruit and fruit products (3), milk and dairy products (3), snacks, desserts, and other foods (3), vegetables and vegetable products (3), alcoholic beverages (2), food for infants and small children (2), herbs spices and condiments (2), legumes and pulses (1), non-alcoholic beverages (1), and two unknown food sources.

Due to the active engagement of INFOSAN members and partners, 53% of incidents were reported to the INFOSAN Secretariat by INFOSAN members (Emergency Contact Points and Focal Points), 28% of those incidents were communicated to the Secretariat through the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), and 19% through various WHO channels.

These incidents involved 53 WHO Member States and territories from all WHO Regions. The affected Member States were distributed as follows: 23 out of 53 Member States from the European Region, 9 out of 27 in the Western Pacific, 8 out of 35 in the Americas, 7 out of 47 in Africa, 4 out of 11 in South-East Asia, and 2 out of 21 in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka linked to chicken products in Ukraine

The INFOSAN Secretariat has been following the development of a multi-country outbreak (n=247) of Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 linked to chicken products from Ukraine. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the latest numbers available of the cases reported are Czech Republic (n=5), Estonia (n=3), Finland (n=89), France (n=10), Germany (n=2), Ireland (n=1), Israel (n=4), the Netherlands (n=1), and the United Kingdom (n=132). The latest cases have been detected as of March 2023 in the United Kingdom which have been linked through whole genome sequencing.

Information shared through the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), implicated products linked to the outbreak has been distributed to nine countries. The INFOSAN Secretariat has promptly engaged WHO Member States outside of the RASFF to inform them of such distribution, seek additional information concerning the international distribution of implicated products and request information on any possible cases linked to the consumption of the implicated products.



Through close collaboration with the INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point and the National Focal Point for IHR in Ukraine, the INFOSAN Secretariat has been notified that no further international distribution from Ukraine to other WHO Member States, beyond those already notified by the RASFF, has been identified to date. Ukrainian authorities initiated an investigation and informed the Network of the risk management measures implemented at the facilities of the implicated manufacturer.



The INFOSAN Secretariat continues to support WHO Member States to facilitate the exchange of information in order to facilitate investigations and implementation of additional risk management measures. Further details will be shared through the Network when available.



About the hazard: Salmonella is 1 of the 4 key global causes of diarrheal diseases. Salmonella is a ubiquitous and hardy bacteria that can survive several weeks in a dry environment and several months in water.

About the disease: Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella. It is usually characterized by acute onset of fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting. The onset of disease symptoms occurs 6–72 hours (usually 12–36 hours) after ingestion of Salmonella, and illness lasts 2–7 days. For more information, please visit the WHO’s website about Salmonella (non-typhoidal) here.

Capacity building

With the adoption of the WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety in 2022, the role of INFOSAN has become increasingly crucial in helping Member States achieve global targets for food safety. The INFOSAN Secretariat has continued and stepped up its efforts to assist Member States by facilitating workshops, simulation exercises, and other customized activities to promote appropriate levels of multisectoral coordination among food safety agencies. These initiatives are tailored to the unique context of each country, ensuring that they receive the support they need to strengthen their food safety systems. By collaborating closely with the INFOSAN Secretariat, Member States can improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to food safety events.

INFOSAN Introductory Workshops

During the first quarter of 2023, the INFOSAN Secretariat organized and delivered three introductory workshops in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, and Peru. The workshops aimed to help new members understand the network's role during food safety emergencies. These workshops provide an overview of INFOSAN's objectives, principles, and operational mechanisms, including the use of its secure communication platform- the INFOSAN Community Website. Participants learn about the importance of sharing information, collaborating with other food safety authorities, and establishing effective communication channels in emergencies. INFOSAN's introductory workshops are an essential first step for any food safety authority or organization looking to participate in the network and enhance their ability to protect public health.

INFOSAN workshops, webinars and sub-regional meetings confirmed for Q2

In an effort to support countries and regions in strengthening their capacities to manage food safety events, national multi-agency workshops and sub-regional meetings are being organized by the INFOSAN Secretariat in collaboration with the FAO/WHO Regional and Country Offices. The upcoming confirmed activities for Q2 are:

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[1] Url: https://www.who.int/news/item/31-05-2023-infosan-quarterly-summary-2023-1

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