Belgium has recorded an increase in outbreaks and illnesses in 2024 compared to the year before.
In 2024, 777 outbreaks were notified: 4,248 people were affected and 205 were hospitalized. There were six deaths. Figures were reported in the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain’s (FASFC) annual report.
The number of notifications is higher than in 2023, but similar to 2022. In 2023, 722 outbreaks sickened 3,194 people with 76 hospitalizations and one death. In 2022, 830 outbreaks had 4,247 patients with 125 hospitalizations and two deaths.
In 2024, it was only possible to find strong evidence of a food source in eight outbreaks.
Outbreak overview
Two Salmonella outbreaks and one each of Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica were confirmed by whole genome sequencing (WGS).
There were nine Salmonella outbreaks with 149 cases and 20 hospitalizations. One outbreak was linked to eggs and another to tiramisu.
Eight Listeria outbreaks had 27 cases and six deaths. One outbreak was linked to pâté, another to pork, and a third to cheese.
Five outbreaks each were because of Campylobacter and Bacillus cereus with 44 and 49 cases, respectively. Four Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreaks included 14 patients. One histamine outbreak sickened two people.
Viruses, such as norovirus and Hepatitis A, caused 22 outbreaks with 563 cases and 94 hospitalizations. One outbreak was traced to vegetables, another to mixed food, and a third to a buffet.
The Food Safety Barometer decreased by 2 percent. This decline was driven by an increase in the rate of people affected by outbreaks per 100,000. The tool is used to give an annual overview of the food safety situation in Belgium.
Inspections and fraud cases
FASFC, also known as AFSCA or FAVV, reported that almost two-thirds of 22,000 inspections in the hotels, restaurants, and catering sector resulted in a favorable outcome. The main areas of concern were the ability to provide consumers with accurate allergen information, hand hygiene, and poor cleanliness of surfaces in contact with food.
Just less than 58,000 companies operating throughout the supply chain received an inspection visit. The compliance rate was high at 85 percent. However, more than 15,500 warnings were issued, as well as 9,931 fines. Goods were seized on 1,673 occasions. Temporary closure of a business was ordered 467 times in 2024. Of the 67,592 food samples analyzed, 98 percent were compliant.
Belgian companies recalled 283 products from consumers, up from 254 in 2023. More than seven in 10 recalls were due to a chemical or microbiological hazard. Also, 66 warnings were issued, mainly because of the absence of allergen information on the label.
FASFC’s fraud unit recorded information relating to 821 potential frauds and 576 investigations were opened, while 478 cases were closed.
One operation analyzed honey samples for hydromethylfurfural (HMF). Pollen was also tested to determine the geographic origin of honey. Out of 20 samples, one was non-compliant because of HMF levels and eight were suspect. Three operators were selling honey described as Belgian when it was not.
Two of five tuna samples contained traces of carbon monoxide, which is not authorized in the treatment of fishery products. This practice deceives consumers by making the fish appear fresher and more appealing. More than 1,000-kilograms of tuna were seized. This tuna, sourced from several Asian countries, was destined for the European market.
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