Abstract

Burden of disease estimates inform public health policy by ranking issues, indicating trends, assessing intervention options and supporting risk management. Foodborne disease caused by microbiological, chemical or physical hazards includes acute and chronic conditions and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. To characterise the burden of foodborne disease, the WHO Department of Food Safety Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases launched the Initiative to Estimate the Global Burden of Foodborne Diseases. The Initiative is supported by the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG), which has established task forces to address elements required for the burden estimate. Another task force supports national burden of illness studies.

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