Melissa Brewer/CDC
The easing of regulations after Brexit is one of the reasons for the increase in cases of food poisoning.
The UK is facing an alarming rise in hospital admissions due to… food poisoningWith cases of Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter reaching record levels.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, England recorded 1,468 hospital visits due to salmonella infections, representing a significant increase in foodborne illness.
Experts debate the reasons behind this increase, citing factors such as Low organizational focusReducing import inspection standards after Britain’s exit from the European Union and reducing the budgets of local authorities.
Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University, is not surprised by the figures and believes they will continue to rise “until the British public wake up and say this is unacceptable” and ask themselves “why should I do this?” Play Russian roulette With food?
However, the UK Food Standards Agency attributes this rise partly to advances in detection methods. Regardless of the reason, this trend represents a Growing anxiety For public health.
The increase in hospital admissions is notable against the backdrop of the previous decline in salmonella cases a decade ago, underscoring the significant deterioration in food safety.
In addition, the UK has also seen a rise in cases linked to poultry and eggs imported from countries such as Poland, where salmonella cases are on the rise, the report said. Watchman.
Weaken food safety regulation, Exacerbated by Brexit The financial restrictions imposed on local authorities are a crucial factor contributing to the current crisis. This decline reflects decades of progress in food safety management that began in the 1980s in response to several scandals.
The response to the problem includes strengthening the capacity of local government environmental health teams, increasing funding and ensuring a sufficient number of professionals in the field. Additionally, the public can play a role in mitigating the risk of food poisoning through practices such as proper hand washing and using caution when cooking poultry products.
The UK Health Security Agency and the Food Standards Agency confirm The importance of cleanliness Proper handling of food to prevent the spread of these diseases.
