From Detection to Protection - How Science in Action Is Strengthening Global Food Safety

Each year, 600 million people fall ill from foodborne diseases, and 420,000 lose their lives — disproportionately affecting young children and people in low- and middle-income countries1. 

 

The burden of unsafe food extends beyond public health, placing significant strain on healthcare systems, economic productivity, and food security worldwide. Even without accounting for the more difficult-to-measure impacts—such as consumer avoidance and domestic market disruptions—the estimated annual cost of unsafe food reaches at least USD 110 billion in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Notably, this figure excludes high-income nations. Despite that, more than 90% of the health burden from foodborne diseases falls on LMICs, where the consequences are often more severe2. 

 

In the United States alone, foodborne illnesses are estimated to cost USD 17.6 billion annually, with five pathogens—Salmonella, Toxoplasma, Listeria, Norovirus, and Campylobacter—accounting for 90% of that burden3.

 

Yet despite these staggering numbers, science is leading the way towards progress. For example:

  • In the European Union, targeted food safety programs contributed to a more than 30% drop in Salmonella cases between 2008 and 20204
  • In Canada, it is estimated that surveillance and hygiene interventions reduced Salmonella incidence by 23% from 2005 to 20195

 

Advances in detection technologies, global risk assessment strategies, and traceability systems are reshaping how we respond to contamination — turning data into action, and action into lives saved.

 

This World Food Safety Day, we join the WHO in highlighting “Science in Action”: the role of research, technology, and scientific collaboration in protecting food — and the people who rely on it.

What does 'Science in Action' look like in food safety?

While policy frameworks and hygiene practices form the backbone of food safety, it is science — and specifically, the translation of science into practical tools — that enables labs, regulators, and producers to act faster and with more confidence. 

 
For a long time, traditional culture-based pathogen detection methods were the only recognized and relied upon approach. While they remain valuable, recent technological advances have introduced alternative rapid methods that enable detection and traceback in a fraction of the time. These newer methods provide accuracy, high sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use, offering significant advantages over traditional culture-based methods6.

Learn more about implementing a new rapid detection method in your laboratory with our free ebook 

Our comprehensive eBook, "A guide to efficiently implementing a new, alternative food testing method in accordance with ISO 16140 – Part 3" is your roadmap to navigating, selecting, and verifying alternative workflows in line with an internationally recognized standard.

Food safety science is not confined to the lab. It requires collaboration between:

 

  • Researchers, developing new detection methods
  • Public health networks, sharing pathogen data
  • Industry laboratories, validating methods and ensuring compliance
  • Regulators, setting science-based standards to protect consumers

 

“Science is at the core of food safety — not just in the lab, but in every decision made to protect public health.” 
– WHO World Food Safety Day 2025 

Science in Action — Responding to risk with speed and confidence

As the global food supply chain becomes more interconnected, so does the need for timely, reliable detection of foodborne pathogens. Observing World Food Safety Day is not just about recognizing the challenge, it’s about spotlighting how science helps us respond faster, smarter, and with greater impact. 

 

Validated alternative methods, including chromogenic media and real-time PCR, now offer pathogen detection in under 24 hours, helping labs take action before contamination becomes a public health or business crisis.

 

Regulatory organizations like AOAC INTERNATIONAL and AFNOR have evaluated and approved alternative testing methods against globally accepted standards like ISO 16140-2:2016, providing laboratories with confidence and compliance readiness.

At Westward Laboratories in the UK, part of the Samworth Brothers Group, teams adopted a simplified workflow built on chromogenic media and validated PCR testing. 

“We chose the Precis workflow mainly due to the quick time to result. It’s incredibly easy to train people in, and we found that it reduces laboratory capacity needed and plastic waste,” said George Owen, General Manager. “The intuitive and straightforward nature of the method helps reduce human error significantly.”

Meanwhile, global producers such as Coca-Cola Europacific Partners have deployed validated PCR testing methods across multiple sites, implementing automated workflows to improve the speed of response during contamination events to enable the team to protect the brand and consumers.

 

The team ensured they evaluated the PCR solution vigorously: ”Our main concern was cross-contamination between samples, so we really challenged the system in that perspective. It passed all our tests successfully. We also ran accuracy tests and the results were better with automation. Reducing human error leads to more consistent results when testing”

 

 

Observing progress, encouraging action

This World Food Safety Day, we recognize the incredible efforts of microbiologists, QA managers, regulators, and lab professionals who ensure the food we eat is safe. 
 

The stakes are high — but so is the momentum. With every new method validated, every workflow simplified, and every outbreak caught earlier, we see the power of science in action. 
 

Food safety is a shared responsibility — and a global priority. At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we’re proud to support that mission by enabling labs to test with confidence, act with clarity, and protect with purpose.

Join the conversation: 


Share your story or tag your team on LinkedIn using #ScienceInAction

 

Reel Mahmoud, Global Market Development Manager – Food & Beverage 

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.