Burden of foodborne diseases: think global, act local

National burden of foodborne disease (FBD) studies are essential to establish food safety as a public health priority, rank diseases, and inform interventions. In recent years, various countries have taken steps to implement them. Despite progress, the current burden of disease landscape remains scattered, and researchers struggle to translate findings to input for policy. We describe the current knowledge base on burden of FBDs, highlight examples of well-established studies, and how results have been used for decision-making. We discuss challenges in estimating burden of FBD in low-resource settings, and the experience and opportunities deriving from a large-scale research project in these settings. Lastly, we highlight the role of international organizations and initiatives in supporting countries to develop capacity and conduct studies.

Automated summary

National burden of foodborne disease studies are crucial for establishing food safety as a public health priority, ranking diseases, and informing interventions. Despite progress in implementing these studies, the current landscape of disease burden remains disjointed, making it challenging for researchers to translate findings into policy recommendations.