On 19 September, the NVWA reported that fewer foodborne outbreaks were reported in the Netherlands since 2023 than in 2022. The number of outbreaks fell from 1,173 in 2022 to 911 in 2023. The number of sick people decreased from 4,505 to 3,500.
Since 2016, the number of reports of outbreaks (2 or more people sick from the same food) and sick people increased (except in the first corona year, 2020). In 2023, for the first time, the number of reports of outbreaks and illnesses was again less than the previous year.
The cause of a foodborne outbreak often remains unknown. This is because it is not always clear which food product was contaminated. Or it remains unclear which pathogen is causing the symptoms. When the cause is known, the bacteria salmonella and campylobacter most often cause an outbreak.
Reports of foodborne outbreaks come from the NVWA and GGDs. RIVM combines these reports to investigate them. With the help of the people who may have fallen ill through food, the GGD tries to find out what caused it. The NVWA investigates where the food was prepared or sold, or where it came from. Where necessary, the NVWA also has Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) investigate whether there are pathogens in the food. If the cause is found, the product is taken off the market or measures are taken to prevent recurrence.
There was a major salmonella outbreak in 2023, probably due to eating contaminated eggs. More than 160 patients with salmonella were reported to the GGDs, who had sought care for it. In reality, the number of sick people was much higher because most people with salmonella did not need medical care. The RIVM, together with the NVWA, COKZ and GGDs and other organisations, investigated where the contaminated eggs came from. This showed that contaminated eggshells had been incorporated into animal feed. As a result, chickens from several laying hen farms became infected. To prevent salmonella bacteria in egg shells from re-infecting chickens via animal feed, the NVWA tightened its supervision of egg shell processing in the animal feed industry. By early 2024, the outbreak was over.
The data from the NVWA, GGDs and WFSR provide insight into the causes of outbreaks. They also show how often outbreaks occur and possible changes over the years. This allows the RIVM to advise people on how they themselves can ensure that they do not get sick from food.
