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Applications of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in food safety management

Year of publication 2016

Pages 29 p.

Author Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN No ISBN

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Recent advances in Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) technology have the potential to play a significant role in the area of food safety. WGS provides rapid identification and characterization of microorganisms, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a level of precision not previously possible. With the rapidly declining cost of this technology, WGS applications in food safety management, including the opportunities it provides for enhanced integration of information from other sectors, suc h as human and animal health, could contribute to enhanced consumer protection, trade facilitation, nutrition and food security. However, the level of understanding of the concepts and potential use of WGS in food safety management vary among countries. This document aims to take the first steps in addressing these gaps, and providing answers to some of the questions which food safety officials (particularly those in developing countries) need to ask and consider if they are to make informed dec isions about WGS and its potential value in food safety management in their context. Four real-life case studies are presented to highlight key benefits and potential drawbacks of WGS in food safety management. Benefits and drawbacks are explained in detail, including the issues related to global data sharing. The document discusses challenges in employing WGS within the regulatory framework in both developed and developing countries, and highlights considerations for countries with limited capa city and resources. A simple exercise to enable developing countries to assess the feasibility of incorporating WGS into national food control systems through a step-by-step approach is described. While WGS can significantly contribute to improving food safety management, it still relies on the appropriate interpretation of laboratory data in the context of epidemiological evidence; WGS alone will not suffice. Despite the challenges, WGS is poised to become standard methodology in some places fo r the identification and characterization of foodborne pathogens. Finding appropriate mechanisms for data sharing will be an important element of its application. In all of this, there is a strong need at the global level to ensure that situations in developing countries are fully taken into account, and that the technology advances in an appropriate direction, in order for WGS to become an effective tool for all.

Language English

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    Food safety is a global concern (FAO 1996 ) and the current estimated global burden of foodborne disease from microbiological food safety problem and the related social and economic costs remain unacceptably high (WHO 2015 ). Some newly emerging tools that can be useful in managing such food safety problems have become increasingly sophisticated. Yet challenges remain in outbreak investigations, in linking illness to particular foods in ensuring the appropriate products are recalled. WGS is one of such tools that offers great potential for various food safety regulatory activities including food inspection, outbreak detection/investigation and studies on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Such benefits would significantly contribute to protecting public health and food security as it eventually saves lives and prevents economic losses and food waste from incorrect or imprecise implications of wrong products and commodities. However, while several industrialized countries have been moving forward with WGS for food safety management, its application, particularly in developing and transitional countries, is limited.
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    2016
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    On 28 June 2016, FAO/WHO/OIE organized a side event to the 39th Codex Alimentarius Commission at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy on Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Food Safety. After the official opening by Ms Renata Clarke (FAO) who emphasized the importance of having collaboration among FAO, WHO and OIE to tackle the issues together, the opening presentation was delivered by Ms Sarah Cahill (FAO) to discuss how WGS for food safety can potentially impact the scientific advice and ideas pr ovided to Codex for their work. Ms Amy Cawthorne (WHO), Mr Antonino Caminiti (OIE) and Ms Masami Takeuchi (FAO) then introduced the relevant activities of the respective organizations. During the panel discussions, participants exchanged their views, concerns and expectations to the technology and discussed potential follow up actions for Codex. The meeting was officially closed by Ms Awa Aidara-Kane (WHO).
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    Book (stand-alone)
    Final Meeting Report: Technical Meeting on the impact of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on food safety management: within a One Health approach
    The 9th meeting of the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI9)
    2016
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    The 9th meeting of Global Microbial Identifier (GMI), which was preceded by a Technical Meeting on the impact of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for food safety management: within a One Health framework, was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy on 23- 25 May 2016. The Meeting was attended by 175 participants from 50 countries including 26 developing countries, highlighting the significant level of interest in the topic by many e xperts and government officials. WGS is a technology relevant to different sectors such as health, agriculture, food safety and medicine. Mulitsectoral collaboration, particularly in relation to sharing of data generated by this technology the technology is critical to optimizing its use. Key messages from the Technical Meeting are reported including the benefits and potential drawbacks of WGS, considerations for developing countries, issues around global data-sharing and key needs for global ac tions and potential roles of international organizations like FAO.
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