She collected data on Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) for the report. STEC is the same bacteria responsible for the E. coli outbreak in Walkerton, Ontario in May 2000.
The World Health Organization found that each year, foodborne diseases cause 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths around the word.
“In theory, foodborne diseases are some of the most preventable diseases in the world: we know the causes, and we know how to stop them,” said Professor Majowicz, of Waterloo's School of Public Health and Health Systems. "However, effective prevention requires everyone – from farmers and food producers, to the food industry and food processors, to food retailers, to end consumers like you and me – to do our part."
