At least 10 Moldovans die of food poisoning annually

Chisinau, 7 June /MOLDPRES/- About 18-20 thousand cases of acute diarrheal diseases are recorded in the Republic of Moldova, including around 10 deaths. The data were made public in the context of marking the World Food Safety Day on 7 June.

Specialists of the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP) say that in our country, especially in summer, there are over 20 epidemic outbreaks every year involving up to 300 patients. The most common diarrheal diseases encountered in Moldova are Salmonella, Campylobacter and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

A large part of the diarrheal diseases are caused by contaminated food and poor food preparation.

"In food safety in Moldova a key issue is the organization of child nutrition. Special attention is given to food behavior, which is formed in the family and continues in education institutions. An imminent danger to children's health is the consumption of unhealthy food - with high salt, sugar and fat content such as sweets, fast food, sticks, snacks, nuts and rusks. During life, they could lead to hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer, " the head of ANSP's Information and Communication Service, Olesea Croitor, said.

Data presented by the World Health Organization show that food contaminated with dangerous bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemicals cause over 200 diseases - from diarrhea to cancer. About 600 million people get sick of diarrheal diseases annually.