A holistic approach model to food safety surveillance: detecting Toxoplasma gondii in meat

Abstract

Prevalences of infections caused by food- and waterborne parasites, some of them causing a significant disease burden, are on the increase. In the absence of systematic surveillance programmes for many of these parasites, particularly in extensive or free-range husbandry settings, research efforts are under way to design monitoring procedures and improve food safety, beyond the current standard of practice or of food safety legislation. An example is given of the commencement of these efforts, by presenting the experimental work package in a research project which entails testing of meat (heart tissue) of backyard poultry and game birds for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii gDNA. The high molecular prevalence of infection detected in some bird species, particularly in backyard chickens raised in rural areas, points to the need for comprehensive and timely surveillance programmes to be applied to all extensively farmed, or game animals and birds used for human consumption. Surveillance should include testing of animal feed as well as the environment (water and soil). However, until risk-based surveillance programmes are operational, meat safety will principally depend on adherence to prevention practices, such as pre-market product processing, as well as on educating consumers in hygienic handling and proper meat preparation practices.