[Knowledge needs]:
Toxoplasmosis is a common food borne zoonosis, whereby the consumption of undercooked meat is an important source of infection. In the USA, toxoplasmosis has been shown to be the third most important death cause of food related infections. In the Netherlands, the RIVM recently reported that toxoplasmosis causes the highest disease burden amongst known food pathogens. Screening programmes in combination with treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis have yielded very disappointing results despite the input of a large amount of resources, bringing up the question how to control human toxoplasmosis in the near future. Our recent studies have shown that organic and backyard farming systems are associated with a higher incidence of toxoplasma infected animals, thereby posing a dilemma between consumer needs for animal friendly production systems on one hand and wish for safer food on the other hand. To solve this dilemma further knowledge is needed concerning possible strategies to prevent the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis via the consumption of infected meat from high welfare animal production systems.
[Objectives]:
The aim of this study is to provide solutions for the dilemma between animal friendly production and food safety using toxoplasma as a food pathogen with a high health impact.
[Approach]:
We will perform a desk study on the technical possibilities to monitor animals or to decontaminate meat from infected animals after slaughter. Stakeholder workshops in combination with multidisciplinary expert interviews will be used to assess the feasibility of the possible approaches.
[Results/deliverables]:
At the end of 2007 we will publish a feasibility report concerning monitoring and/or post slaughter decontamination of meat (products) from infected animals to ensure Toxoplasma free meat. We will present lectures on this topic to stakeholders and the results will also be submitted to international journals. |
