Foodborne Pathogens Research Articles

Increased antimicrobial resistance of acid-adapted pathogenic Escherichia coli, and transcriptomic analysis of polymyxin-resistant strain

This study investigated the acid adaptation and antimicrobial resistance of seven pathogenic Escherichia coli strains and one commensal strain under nutrient-rich acidic conditions. After acid adaptation, three pathogenic E. coli survived during 100 h incubation in tryptic soy broth at pH 3.25. Acid-adapted (AA) strains showed increased resistance to antimicrobials including ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and especially polymyxins (colistin and polymyxin B), the last resort antimicrobial for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Enterotoxigenic E. coli strain (NCCP 13717) showed significantly increased resistance to acids and polymyxins. Transcriptome analysis of the AA NCCP 13717 revealed upregulation of genes related to the acid fitness island and the arn operon, which reduces lipopolysaccharide binding affinity at the polymyxin site of action. Genes such as eptA, tolC, and ompCF were also upregulated to alter the structure of the cell membrane, reducing the outer membrane permeability compared to the control, which is likely to be another mechanism for polymyxin resistance. This study highlights the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in AA pathogenic E. coli strains, particularly polymyxin resistance, and the mechanisms behind the increased antimicrobial resistance, providing important insights for the development of risk management strategies to effectively control the antimicrobial resistant foodborne pathogens.

“Dandelion” magnetic bead-driven CDs@CeO2 based-multifunctional nanoplatform for tri-modal ultrasensitive detection and efficient eradication of pathogenic bacteria

To address the challenge of foodborne pathogens, we have developed an ultra-sensitive tri-modal detection and effective pathogen eradication strategy utilizing a “dandelion” magnetic bead-driven cerium dioxide doped with carbon dots (CDs@CeO2) multifunctional nanoplatform. Aptamer (Apt) modification CDs@CeO2 specifically recognizes and binds to the outer membrane proteins of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Concurrently, mannose-functionalized dandelion-like magnetic beads selectively recognize adhesins of S. typhimurium, avoiding competition with Apt for binding sites and leveraging the strong bacterial capture capability for high-sensitivity detection. The prepared CDs@CeO2 has been demonstrated to exhibit favourable fluorescence characteristics. In the presence of H2O2, CDs@CeO2 is capable of oxidising colourless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into blue oxide, displaying exceptional photothermal properties. CDs@CeO2 have the potential to generate •OH through a Fenton-like reaction, which could directly damage cells. Notably, coupling the photosensitizer Ce6 to CDs@CeO2 and subsequent illumination generates 1O2, which synergistically eradicates bacteria with •OH. Detection limits of the fluorescence, colorimetry, and photothermal methods were 3.85 cfu/mL, 9.44 cfu/mL, and 5.00 cfu/mL, respectively. The platform successfully achieves precise detection of S. typhimurium in actual pre-prepared food samples through fluorescence, colorimetry, and photothermal tri-modal signals, and effectively kills bacteria, achieving trace detection and source control.

Microbiological quality of plant-based meat-alternative products collected at retail level in Switzerland.

As the interest in plant-based alternative food products has increased significantly in the last years, it is also important to investigate these products regarding microbiological aspects. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological quality and the occurrence of selected foodborne pathogens in plant-based meat alternative products (PBMA) collected at retail level in Switzerland. A total of 100 PBMA (84 vegan and 16 vegetarian products) was analyzed qualitatively for the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and quantitatively for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus group members, Enterobacteriaceae and the total viable count. Furthermore, pH measurements were carried out and the aw-value was determined. Isolates were further analyzed with Whole Genome Sequencing. The total viable count before the expiration date was between < 2 log and 7 log CFU/g (median: 5.97 log CFU/g). In six (6 %) samples Enterobacteriaceae with 2 log to 3 log CFU/g were detected. No Salmonella and no Listeria monocytogenes were detected. However, seven products (7 %) were contaminated with other Listeria spp. (six L. innocua and one L. seeligeri). Further findings were two (2 %) Staphylococcus aureus ST8 with the presence of selx and tsst-1 genes, and five (5 %) Bacillus cereus group members (three B. paranthracis, one B. cereus sensu stricto, and one B. cytotoxicus) which all were diarrhea-associated strains. This study provides data that are relevant for HACCP concepts of companies that produce plant-based meat alternative products and helps to define microbiological parameters that should be included when testing such products.

Inactivation of foodborne pathogens on fruit juice with different solid contents by using pilot-scale 915 MHz microwave heating system

Inactivation of foodborne pathogens on fruit juice with different solid contents by using pilot-scale 915 MHz microwave heating system

Antimicrobial Efficacy of GS-2 on Reusable Food Packaging Materials for Specialty Crops.

The European Union (EU) regulations mandate 10% of all food packaging to be reusable by 2030. United States (U.S.) exporters of specialty crops face new challenges in ensuring microbiological food safety using reusable packaging. A novel antimicrobial formulation consisting of ammonium carboxylate salt of capric acid and L-arginine (GS-2) was recently developed as a spray coating chemical for food packaging materials. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of GS-2 against microbial strains representing three foodborne bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica), one fungal spoilage organism (Aspergillus niger), and one surrogate viral pathogen (murine norovirus) on three reusable plastic materials (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene) and one cardboard packaging material, respectively. Different chemical concentrations, exposure times, and storage conditions were individually evaluated for the relative antimicrobial efficacies of GS-2 against these microorganisms. Our results showed that GS-2 was highly effective for inactivating bacterial pathogens on both plastic and cardboard surfaces. For instance, 3% GS-2 achieved a >5 log CFU/in2 reduction in E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and S. enterica on tested plastic surfaces at an exposure time of 60 min. However, its efficacy against A. niger and murine norovirus was less optimal, resulting in a ≤1 log CFU/in2 reduction on all tested surfaces. Based on our study, GS-2 demonstrated a strong potential as an antibacterial coating reagent for reusable food packaging materials to minimize pathogen contamination and ensure the safety of the specialty crops.

Recent Progress in Nanomaterial-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Food Safety Detection.

Food safety has recently become a widespread concern among consumers. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a rapidly developing novel spectroscopic analysis technique with high sensitivity, an ability to provide molecular fingerprint spectra, and resistance to photobleaching, offering broad application prospects in rapid trace detection. With the interdisciplinary development of nanomaterials and biotechnology, the detection performance of SERS biosensors has improved significantly. This review describes the advantages of nanomaterial-based SERS detection technology and SERS's latest applications in the detection of biological and chemical contaminants, the identification of foodborne pathogens, the authentication and quality control of food, and the safety assessment of food packaging materials. Finally, the challenges and prospects of constructing and applying nanomaterial-based SERS sensing platforms in the field of food safety detection are discussed with the aim of early detection and ultimate control of foodborne diseases.

Antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally fermented food against food pathogen

Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of lactic acid bacteria against selected food pathogens (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Method: A total of twenty (20) traditionally fermented food samples were purchased from a market in Owerri metropolis. Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were conducted using standard microbiological techniques. LAB was identified using standard morphological and biochemical tests. They were tested against food pathogens using the Agar well diffusion method. Results: The isolated lactic acid bacteria include Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum and were label as SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 respectively. The isolated LAB species had a considerable inhibitory effect on food borne pathogens. Cell free supernatant of four species were tested for antagonistic activity at 24hrs and 48hrs incubation time. Cell free supernatant from 48hrs broth of SP1 showed the highest zone of inhibition on Escherichia coli (28mm) while the cell free supernatant from 24hrs broth of SP4 showed the lowest zone of inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus (13 mm). Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity increases with time. LAB demonstrated high antimicrobial properties against food borne pathogens. This potential can be employed as starters in food industry to inhibit food spoilage microbes and contaminants.

Recent Advances in CRISPR/Cas System-Based Biosensors for the Detection of Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms

Foodborne pathogens pose significant risks to food safety. Conventional biochemical detection techniques are facing a series of challenges. In recent years, with the gradual development of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology, CRISPR/Cas system-based biosensors, a newly emerging technology, have received much attention from researchers because of their supreme flexibility, sensitivity, and specificity. While numerous CRISPR-based biosensors have a broad application in the field of environmental monitoring, food safety, and point-of-care diagnosis, they remain in high demand to summarize recent advances in CRISPR/Cas system-based biosensors for foodborne pathogen detection. In this paper, we briefly classify and discuss the working principles of CRISPR/Cas systems with trans-cleavage activity in applications for the detection of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. We highlight the current status, the unique feature of each CRISPR system and CRISPR-based biosensing platforms, and the integration of CRISPR-Cas with other techniques, concluding with a discussion of the advantages, disadvantages, and future directions.

Risk ranking of microbial hazards from consumption of ready-to-eat fresh produce (RTEFP)

The consumption of contaminated Ready-To-Eat Fresh Produce (RTEFP), especially minimally processed leafy green vegetables and fruits, is increasingly recognised as a source of foodborne illnesses, posing a significant safety risk to human health. RTEFP can become contaminated with enteric foodborne pathogens via different sources. Water used during the pre-harvest (irrigation) and post-harvest (washing water) has been identified as a potentially important transmission route for foodborne pathogens entering horticultural crops. The objective of the present study was to (i) evaluate human exposure to indicator microorganisms, which may act as a surrogate to assess potential exposure to harmful pathogens, and (ii) create a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) to assess the human health safety risks (infection or illness) from foodborne pathogens following the application of treated irrigation (sprinkler) water to RTEFP and assess potential microbial intake through the consumption of RTEFP grown on irrigated land. A QMRA based on published literature was constructed to analyse microbial daily/annual risk to foodborne enteric pathogens associated with consuming ready-to-eat fresh produce. The likelihood of exposure to target pathogens was determined using different model parameters. The results show that the pathogens were prioritised as Shigella spp., Cryptosporidium parvum, Salmonella spp., Giardia lamblia based on probability of illness and Campylobacter spp., norovirus, adenovirus and rotavirus based on probability of infection. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the consumption of RTE fresh produce and cumulative decay constant of pathogens are the most sensitive parameters of the QMRA model, followed by the initial concentration of pathogens, chlorine treatment, growth on shelves, and finally, the effect of cold storage. This study highlighted that chlorine used pre and post-harvest was an effective remedial measure to assist food safety. The study highlights the need for risk-benefit in balancing potential chemical (chlorine) human exposure and the benefits of reduced microbial loads on RTEFP.

Probe-based dual-chip digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification for the simultaneous detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enteritidis in livestock and aquatic products

Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella are common pathogens causing foodborne diseases, posing a serious threat to food safety. Accurate detection of foodborne pathogens is particularly critical. This study developed a probe-based dual-chip digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification (cdLAMP) technique that enables the simultaneous detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella in food samples. The chip contains 20,000 wells, each with a micro-reaction unit volume of approximately 1 nL. The dual-detection is achieved through the dual-color fluorescence channel equipped on the imaging analyzer. Compared with qPCR, the cdLAMP demonstrates superior sensitivity. In the detection of pure cultures and spiked food samples, the detection limit of two foodborne pathogens is 2 CFU/mL. In the detection of field samples, it is capable of detecting single colonies of both pathogens. The dynamic detection range spans 5 logs. In conclusion, the probe-based cdLAMP technique emerges as a user-friendly tool for detecting foodborne pathogens, providing a powerful platform for food safety testing.

Isolation, characterization, and receptor-binding protein specificity of phages PAS7, PAS59 and PAS61 infecting Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O103 and O146

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne pathogen with 6,534 annual reported cases in the EU in 2021. This pathotype generally contains strains with smooth LPS with O-antigen serogroup O157 being the predominant serogroup in the US. However, non-O157 STEC serogroups are becoming increasingly prevalent. Here we announce the complete genomes of three newly isolated phages that infect STEC serogroups O103 and O146, namely Escherichia phages vB_EcoP_PAS7, vB_EcoP_PAS59 and vB_EcoP_PAS61. The genome sequences revealed that they belong to three distinct genera, namely the newly proposed genus Cepavirus within the Slopekvirinae subfamily, the genus Suseptimavirus and the genus Uetakevirus, respectively. We identified the tailspikes of phages PAS7 and PAS61 as a primary specificity determinant for the O-antigens O103 and O146, respectively, and predicted their active site in silico.

Microbiome dynamics: Defenses against foodborne threat

The gut microbiome is a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms inhabiting the human gastrointestinal tract, playing a crucial role in health and disease. This review examines inter-individual variability in gut microbiota composition and the impact of diet, genetics, and environmental factors on microbial diversity. It explores how probiotics and bacteriocins can serve as therapeutic agents against foodborne pathogens, offering alternatives or synergists to traditional antibiotics. The mechanisms through which probiotics interact with pathogens and the therapeutic potential of bacteriocins are analyzed. Emphasizing the need for further research, this review underscores the importance of elucidating gut microbiome interactions to improve health and disease management strategies.

Antilisterial Properties of Selected Strains from the Autochthonous Microbiota of a Swiss Artisan Soft Smear Cheese.

High incidences of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes have been reported on smear cheeses, and despite increased hygiene efforts, this incidence has remained stable in recent years. Applying antilisterial strains may increase the safety of smear cheeses. To find and test antilisterial strains, we inoculated fresh soft cheeses from nine dairies with the surrogate species Listeria innocua and assessed its growth under standardized ripening conditions. Acetic acid at day 23 (r = -0.66), lactose in fresh cheese (r = -0.63), and glucose at day 10 (r = -0.62), as well as seven amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), were negatively correlated with L. innocua growth. Two of these ASVs were assigned to the genus Leuconostoc of Lactobacillaceae (r = -0.82 and -0.71). Isolates from this family, from Aerococcaceae, and Carnobacteriaceae were characterized according to their inhibitory properties, and those showing antilisterial properties were applied as protective cultures in challenge tests. The combined application of strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Aerococcaceae, and Carnobacteriaceae successfully eliminated low levels of L. innocua in the final products. This is likely explained by antimicrobial compounds, including mesentericin Y105 and acetate, and competition for carbon sources and iron. This study shows a promising way to improve the safety of soft smear cheeses by applying defined protective cultures.

Seven-year overview of antimicrobial resistance in diarrheagenic Escherichia coli from sporadic human diarrhea cases in 20 Chinese provinces

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli is one of the most prevalent foodborne pathogens and poses significant clinical challenges due to increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. In this study, 9,068 diarrheagenic E. coli isolates from sporadic diarrhea cases across 20 provinces of China from 2016 to 2022 were systematically analyzed to determine the prevalence and distribution of resistance. A total of 14 antibiotics were included in the antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated that the majority of the isolates (89.3%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, with a significant proportion (60.3%) demonstrating multidrug resistance. Isolates showed high levels of resistance to ampicillin (68.2%) and high sensitivity to imipenem (97.0%). Over the 7 years, an increasing trend in resistance to cefoxitin and chloramphenicol among the isolates was found. Enteroaggregative E. coli was identified as the predominant pathotype. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance rates were higher among the isolates from infants under 1 year of age compared to other populations and resistance levels differed among pathotypes. In summary, our findings revealed the detailed resistance characteristics of diarrheagenic E. coli strains isolated from human sporadic diarrhea cases in China, offering valuable insights that can inform clinical antibiotic treatment strategies and priorities.

Radio frequency inactivation of Bacillus cereus and natural microbiota in brown rice: Evaluation of inactivation kinetics and germination capacity

Brown rice and its sprout are prone to be contaminated by foodborne pathogens, resulting in potential safety issues. Effective pasteurization methods rely on the thermal death kinetics of the targeted microorganisms and gemination rate of brown rice. This study investigated the influence of five temperature and four moisture content (MC) levels on inactivation kinetics of Bacillus cereus or native microbiota and germination capacity changes of brown rice by radio frequency (RF) heating using first-order, Weibull and Biphasic models. Results showed that increasing MC and treatment temperature greatly enhanced the inactivation of B. cereus but excessive temperature (>75 °C) impaired seed physiology and reduced germination capacity of brown rice. The selected RF treatment (85 °C for 20 min and 80 °C for 30 min for samples with 14.2 % w.b., 75 °C for 30 min, 80 °C for 20 min, and 85 °C for 5 min for samples with 16.2 % w.b.) could reduce the populations of B. cereus by approximately 4.0 log CFU/g, whereas the reductions in total bacteria, yeasts and molds were less than 3.0 log CFU/g. Compared with the first-order linear model and Biphasic model, Weibull model provided the better fitted inactivation kinetics with superior statistical values (R2: 0.944–0.999; RMSE: 0.002–0.879) and validation indices (accuracy factor: 1.003–1.034; bias factor: 0.991–1.025) at all MCs and temperatures. The established Weibull model may offer a reliable method for fitting the inactivation kinetics of B. cereus in brown rice and would help the grain industry to develop effective RF pasteurization protocols.

Occurrence and diversity of Campylobacter species in diarrheic children and their exposure environments in Ethiopia

Campylobacter is a major zoonotic foodborne pathogen that poses a significant public health threat, particularly among children and immunocompromised individuals. However, data on the occurrence and sources of Campylobacter infection remain scarce in Ethiopia. This study assessed the occurrence, diversity, and relationships between Campylobacter from diarrheic children and potential exposure sources using whole-genome sequencing. Through case-based tracing, animal, food, and environmental samples were collected from Harar town and Kersa district between November 2021 and January 2023. Campylobacter was identified using selective media, and DNA was extracted and sequenced with the Illumina NextSeq 550 instrument. Sequence reads were analysed using bioinformatics tools. The overall Campylobacter prevalence in the exposure sources was 5.5%, with 6.0% in urban and 5.0% in rural settings. Campylobacter detection was 1.8 times more likely in household samples (8.7%; OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 0.7–4.5) than in samples from marketplaces. The occurrence of Campylobacter in food was 4.2%, with no significant differences across the meat, milk, and other food categories. The likelihood of Campylobacter contamination in the environment was 5.8 times higher in the presence of poultry (17.7%; OR = 5.8; CI: 1.1–30.6) compared to shoats. Sequence analysis identified a low Campylobacter spp. diversity comprising only C. jejuni and C. coli, which were characterized by 8 distinct sequence types (STs). Phylogenetically, the majority of the sequenced case isolates were clustered with isolates from either caretakers, environmental exposures, or both. In conclusion, Campylobacter was detected in various exposure sources of diarrheic children, and its occurrence did not differ significantly between Kersa and Harar or among food items. The majority of isolates shared MLST profiles and clustered together, demonstrating the involvement of multiple vectors in the transmission of the pathogen. Genome-based integrated studies supported by an attribution model are recommended to determine the relative contribution of each source.

Dielectric drying of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens): impact on microbiological product quality, safety and stability

Abstract Along with the increasing scale of industrial production of insects as food and feed, the need for processing methods applicable on large scale is rising within the insect sector. One important processing technology in this context is drying, which aims at stabilising the quality of the insects. This study investigated the impact of dielectric drying technologies, specifically microwave (μW) and radio frequency (RF) drying, on the microbiological quality, safety, and stability of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae in comparison to the traditional methods oven drying and freeze drying. Before, during and after subjecting a large batch of blanched BSF larvae to the four drying technologies, their water activity and moisture content as well as general microbial and pathogen counts were assessed. Dielectric drying effectively reduced water activity, thus enhancing product stability. Microbiological analyses revealed the efficacy of blanching in microbial reduction, with dielectric (especially RF) drying further contributing to these reductions. The results, however, do not conclusively support nonthermal microbial inactivation through dielectric treatment. Specific analyses targeting foodborne pathogens indicated the absence of most selected bacterial pathogens, except for (presumptive) Bacillus cereus. This pathogen was detected in a few samples but remained below safety thresholds and was effectively eliminated by dielectric drying. Finally, a shelf life stability evaluation showed minimal changes in dielectrically dried BSF larvae over six months, indicating a microbiologically stable product. In conclusion, dielectric drying technologies can retain or even improve the microbiological quality and stability of BSF larvae in the insect industry and can be considered as valuable and more efficient (time, energy consumption) alternatives to oven and freeze drying.

A Synergistic Interaction Between Citrus Hystrix Peel Essential Oil and Tetracycline and Evaluation of their Antibacterial Mechanism of Action in Vitro and in Silico Against Escherichia Coli.

Citrus hystrix essential oil (CHEO) have shown various pharmacological properties including antibacterial activity. This EO also possessed antibacterial effect against foodborne pathogens. There is less information available about the synergy interaction between CHEO and tetracycline, as well as their mechanism of action. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic effect of CHEO and tetracycline against clinical isolate of Escherichia coli. Antibiofilm, bacteriolytic, and efflux pump inhibitor activities were also performed. The chemical composition of CHEO was analysed using GC-MS. Three major compounds, D-limonene (25.02 %), β-pinene (23.37 %), and β-sabinene (22.20 %) were identified. CHEO exhibited moderate antibacterial activity with MIC value of 250 μg/mL. The combination of CHEO (7.8 μg/mL) and tetracycline (62.5 μg/mL) produced a synergistic effect on E. coli with fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.5. This mixture inhibited biofilm formation in E. coli. The combination of 7.8 μg/mL CHEO and 62.5 μg/mL tetracycline demonstrated bacteriolytic activity. In addition, the CHEO at 250 μg/mL showed a significant effect in inhibiting efflux pump. D-limonene has a binding free energy value of -20.13 kcal/mol with ompA transmembrane domain of E. coli. This finding indicates that CHEO has a potency to be developed as natural antibacterial against E. coli.

The German Status Report on Climate Change and Health 2023

Abstract The German Status Report on Climate Change and Health was coordinated by the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s public health institute, and published in 2023 through a collaboration of approximately 100 authors from 30 German institutions. It is an update of a similar report from 2010 and includes review articles and syntheses on the effects of climate change on human health through various influences such as heat, extreme weather, UV radiation, air pollutants and allergens, as well as the effect of climate change on infectious diseases through vector-borne, water-borne or food-borne pathogens. Literature reviews on the potential impact on antimicrobial resistance and mental health explore less well researched effects of climate change on health. The report discusses climate change communication and climate justice as cross-cutting issues and closes with an analysis of the options for action recommended throughout the preceding chapters. While the coordination of this report was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Health, the content was compiled by an advisory board of scientists and the authors recruited by them. The status report is published as 14 individual scientific papers in three issues of the peer-reviewed Journal of Health Monitoring and is available open access in English and in German in order to reach a large scientific audience. Besides the scientific audience, another target group are local authorities contributing towards adaptation and mitigation measures. Insights from the report are being communicated by diverse channels specifically to this latter group and are taken into consideration in the process of shaping the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change.

Health consequences of harmful chemicals in foods: insights from the WHO Global Burden of Foodborne Disease Study

Abstract Foods can be an important source of human exposure to harmful chemicals. Contamination can occur at any stage of the food chain; with chemicals that occur naturally or by anthropogenic pollution in the environment and during production processes from farm level to the kitchen of the consumer. The variety of chemicals in foods is broad and associated with a wide range of adverse health effects. Where toxicological risk assessment of chemicals in foods serves the purpose of protecting populations from exposure levels constituting a health concern, burden of disease methodology provides a quantitative snapshot of the current impact of chemicals on disease occurrence and population health. This allows for the comparison across hazards, health effects and foods and eventually prioritized allocation of resources to maximize health benefits. Following the advice by the World Health Organization Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference group (WHO/FERG), WHO published in 2015 the first estimates of the global burden of foodborne disease. More than 400,000 deaths and 33 million disability-adjusted life years were estimated due to unsafe foods in 2010; the largest proportion due to foodborne pathogens, as the contribution of only 3 chemical hazards (dioxins, aflatoxin B1 and cassava cyanide) was included. WHO, once more under the advice by the re-established WHO/FERG (2021-2025), is currently working to update the 2010 estimates. Besides applying updated data and methodological improvements in managing data gaps and time series analysis, WHO’s ambition is to consider a wider range of chemicals and associated health effects for the year of 2020. In this presentation, we will share insights on the WHO estimates of the global burden of foodborne chemicals, and explore the methodological opportunities and challenges that estimating the burden of foodborne chemicals provides for informing policies.