Recent food poisoning outbreak originated from countries of Japan (March 2011) and

Germany (May 2011)

Food poisoning is defined as an illness caused by the consumption of food or water

contaminated with bacteria and/or their toxins, or with parasites, viruses, or chemicals. The
most common pathogens are Norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter,
and Staphylococcus aureus. There are recent food poisoning outbreak that happens in German
and Japan in 2011. This is happen because of consumption of fresh vegetables that come from
these countries. In addition, this food poisoning outbreak that originated from these countries
had caused various impacts to the consumers and worldwide trade.
The food poisoning outbreak that happens in German had caused almost 3,000 people
who have become sick and 27 deaths. The food poisoning outbreaks that happen were initially
blamed on Spain but it then proved that the vegetables that have been contaminated are from
Northern German. Meanwhile, the investigators are still searching on further information and
later found that the outbreak strain in a discarded package of sprouts from the suspect farm
which is organic farm from Lower Saxony, Germany. The food poisoning outbreak that happens
here is also believed to have cross contamination during transportation and distribution.
In addition, the main factors that contributed to the food poisoning in German are caused
by shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 (or STEC O104:H4). E. coli is a type of
bacteria that causes food poisoning and is normally spread through traces of animal waste.
Some strains can cause illness in people. The strain involved in the German outbreak has
caused cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a serious complication caused
when bacteria produce a toxic substance called verocytotoxin. This can affect the blood,
kidneys and, in some cases, the nervous system.
On the other hand, types of vegetables that caused food poisoning in both countries are
Cucumber and Sprout in German. The cucumbers from German that are contaminated are
believed to be harvested in one of the farm in German. However, the investigation from this
outbreak cant be proved by laboratory but the people who consumed the cucumber and sprout
show some symptoms of food poisoning. In addition, German public health authorities currently
recommend that people in Germany not to eat raw sprouts of any origin. Besides that, travelers
to Germany was advised to be aware of eating cucumbers, tomatoes and leafy salads in while
being in Northern Germany
These current outbreaks had caused so many implications and impact to the consumer
and worldwide trade. In German, there are many losses of life and the thousands of people who
are sick. There are also, some financial impact that caused lot of losses in tourism and farmers.
To add on, some people who are exposed with this food poisoning also develop hemolytic
uremic syndrome (HUS) that can cause death. HUS involves injury to the kidneys and
destruction of the bodys blood cells. On the other hand, hemolytic-uremic syndrome is also a
condition in which the kidneys are damaged by toxins that produced by gastrointestinal
infections.

To resolve this issue, some actions were taken in order to prevent these food poisoning
outbreaks from spread to all over country. For example, some countries such as Taiwan, Austria
and Russian have banned cucumber and sprout from been imported from Germany. Moreover,
some farms that are believed to spread that contamination are also has been closed and the
sprouts produced there are no longer in restaurants or store shelves in Germany. Hence, the
number of cases for these outbreaks is immediately decreased. In addition, the tourist that visit
German is also has been told to undergo some medical checkup as an early inspection.
On the other hand, the food poisoning outbreak that occurs in Japan in March 2011 was
happened because of 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. This disaster had killed hundreds of people
and spread the radiation to all around the world. Radiation levels are increasing in the food and
water, babies born with thyroid issues regarding this issue and the government has tightened
the law and regulation. The workers in the plant area also struggled to cool the stricken reactors
and the total loss by Japan cannot be estimate. The food that was imported from Japan also
become a huge concern to be consume regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, the main factors that contributed to the food poisoning in Japan were
because of the crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant that undergoes radiation leaking
from at least four reactors. The four reactors in that plant requiring evacuation of areas in
Fukushima prefecture and beyond. The leakage has created some restrictions on food grown
and produced in certain areas. Moreover, that contamination by radioactive substances from the
leakage is terrifying as it cannot be tasted, smelled or seen. Hence, many people are exposed
to radioactivity through the air or by touching items that have been contaminated.
Types of vegetables that involves in Japan food poisoning outbreak are spinach and
bamboo shoots. This is because, high levels of radioactive substances on crops that exist in
outdoors on fields as crops are planted here. It was also tested that foods in the area that has
been contaminated in areas which nuclear reactors has been damaged. The vegetables were
contaminated by airborne particles that emitted directly after the hydrogen explosions. In
contrast, the data published by government showed broccoli, spinach, parsley and celery was
exposed to the Iodine-131 radiation. The worst area that has been exposed was Fukushima.
Other than that, these food poisoning give some impact to the consumers and
worldwide. One of the impacts to the consumers is risk of getting cancer, abnormalities of
thyroid and infertility. Chemical factories, oil refineries, and other petrochemical industrial were
also destroyed or seriously damaged along the entire 400 km coast of Tohoku from Iwate and
Miyagi to Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba. According to Asia Pacific Journal (2011), in agricultural
sector, over 33,000 farms, facilities, sewerage facilities, drains, pumps etc. have been damaged
or destroyed.
There are also some actions taken to resolve this issue in Japan which are setting safety
standards or levels for radioactive substances in food. Safety standard was set up because
Japan had no guidance levels or restrictions for nuclear substances on food at the time of the
nuclear disaster. This increase the awareness to the Japanese to set regulatory standards in
order to make sure all foods was safe from any radiation or leakage. The government and
farmers also take actions to ensure that the contaminated vegetables were not delivered to the
customers.

In conclusion, some of various precautions need to be taken in order to prevent food

poisoning from spreading. Fruits and vegetables should be washed properly before consumed.
On the other hand, the handler should make sure that they implemented good hygiene in
handling the vegetables. Besides, early preparation for the out coming disaster should be
outlined. The outbreaks had caused various impacts to the worldwide in terms of economic,
financial, public health and society. Instead of that, this outbreak can lower the reputation of the
county that experienced food poisoning. Hence, all of organization should take responsibility
and serious concern regarding these outbreaks and make sure proper hygiene and safety
standard was implemented.

REFERENCES
C. Dagger, (2011), Is it Safe to Eat Food Imported from Japan: The Food Risks to Health After
the Nuclear Accident at Japan's Fukushima Power Station, Retrieved from
http://voices.yahoo.com/is-safe-eat-food-imported-japan-food-8110122.html?cat=5
J. Alabaster, M. Yamaguchi, T. A. Hosaka and Y. Kageyama, (2011), Japan Earthquake 2011:
8.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits, 30-Foot Tsunami Triggered, Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/japan-earthquake-tsunami_n_834380.html
J. Williams, (2013), HOLY FUKUSHIMA RADIATION FROM JAPAN IS ALREADY KILLING
NORTH AMERICANS, Retrieved from http://jeromiewilliams.com/2013/04/12/holy-fukushimaradiation-from-japan-is-already-killing-north-americans/
Martin J. Frid, Food Safety: Addressing Radiation in Japans northeast after 3.11, The AsiaPacific Journal Vol 9, Issue 31 No 3, Retrieved August 1, 2011 from http://www.japanfocus.org/Martin_J_-Frid/3580
R. Buerk,(2011), BBC News, Tokyo: Japan mass food poisoning fears in Hokkaido schools,
Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12461920
R. SHEARS, (2011), Radiation poisoning of food supply in Japan 'is a lot more serious' than first
feared, as eggs and milk go on 'danger list', Retrieved from March 22, 2011 from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368357/Radiation-poisoning-food-supply-Japan-lotfeared-eggs-milk-danger-list.html