Defending against zoonoses through food safety

The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre has been key to supporting many countries in establishing, maintaining and enhancing their food safety laboratories. In Bangladesh, for example, the FAO and the IAEA supported the development of the Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis Laboratory (VDRAL) at the IFRB. Through IAEA technical cooperation projects, FAO-IAEA experts have trained VDRAL scientists on how to test for a range of food hazards and to screen and verify residues and contaminants in food.

FAO-IAEA experts have provided VDRAL with technical guidance for the development, validation and implementation of analytical methods. "VDRAL now uses different isotopic and nuclear-based analytical tools and techniques for the determination of antimicrobial residues and mycotoxins in foods of animal and plant origin," Saifullah said, explaining that efforts are also under way to build capacity for food microbiological testing, including aspects of food-borne zoonoses.

In the past, Bangladesh outsourced food tests to other countries. Today, analysts at VDRAL can use screening tools like rapid radio receptor assays and isotopic verification methods to determine veterinary antimicrobial residues and mycotoxins in foods. More than 3000 food samples, including eggs, milk, chicken and shrimp, are analysed annually to generate residue data. This data enables regulatory institutions, such as the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, to act to protect public health and improve the country's food safety control system.

"It is pleasing to see a laboratory starting with limited capacity to being able to provide food safety analytical support for the country, as well as to attract significant government support to ensure its sustainability," said Gerald Cirilo Reyes, an IAEA Programme Management Officer for Bangladesh.