Food Safety Challenges in Refugee Camps: What Do We Know? 2021

Ariel V Garsow, and Emily Campbell, and Gary Closs, and Barbara B Kowalcyk
Department of Food Science and Technology.

Refugee camps provide basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, and medical treatment for displaced persons. Unsanitary conditions in refugee camps due to overcrowding, poor sanitation systems, lack of clean water, and minimal ways to cook and store food can lead to an increased risk of foodborne illness. This article reviews the limited literature on the epidemiology of foodborne illness in refugee camps, effective risk mitigation strategies, and opportunities for future research. Eleven relevant articles were identified, suggesting that research in this area is limited. Identified research focused on three pathogens-Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella, and hepatitis E virus-that can cause serious diseases such as cholera, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and hepatitis E. Storage and handling of clean water for personal hygiene and food preparation were critical components for ensuring food safety. Knowledge pertaining to best practices for hygiene and food preparation also were identified as important. Gaps in current research include determination of the prevalence of pathogens in food sold in refugee camps and development of culturally relevant food safety supply chain quality management systems. More research that focuses on burden and attribution of foodborne illness and food safety interventions in refugee camps is necessary. CONCLUSIONS

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012036 Refugees Persons fleeing to a place of safety, especially those who flee to a foreign country or power to escape danger, persecution, or economic distress in their own country or habitual residence. Asylum Seekers,Displaced Persons,Internally Displaced Persons,Political Asylum Seekers,Political Refugees,Asylum Seeker,Asylum Seeker, Political,Asylum Seekers, Political,Displaced Person,Displaced Person, Internally,Displaced Persons, Internally,Internally Displaced Person,Person, Displaced,Persons, Displaced,Political Asylum Seeker,Political Refugee,Refugee,Refugee, Political,Refugees, Political,Seeker, Asylum,Seekers, Asylum,Seekers, Political Asylum
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006920 Hygiene The science dealing with the establishment and maintenance of health in the individual and the group. It includes the conditions and practices conducive to health. (Webster, 3d ed)
D000073017 Refugee Camps Areas of shelter and protection for people who leave their own country or habitual residence to escape danger, persecution, or disaster. Camp, Refugee,Camps, Refugee,Refugee Camp
D012499 Sanitation The development and establishment of environmental conditions favorable to the health of the public.
D059022 Food Safety Activities involved in ensuring the safety of FOOD including avoidance of bacterial and other contamination. Safety, Food

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