Global Food Safety — International Consumers Rights?

We understand there are no foodborne illness-free zones in the world. Therefore, a proper understanding of foodborne pathogens and the factors that impact their growth, survival and pathogenesis would equip us with tools to ensure global food safety. This Special Issue publishes articles on different aspects of food microbiology and safety. Globalization of the food trade has complicated foodborne hazards. On the one hand, international food trade laws are not yet defined and coordinated. On the other hand, different government policies and regulations are designed to boost the countrys economy through large volumes of food exports. This trade priority generally favors the food industries rather than their consumers. This is the reason why little has been done so far to address some of the root issues in global food safety, i.e., standards for the global food chains/producers and international consumers’ rights. Many developing countries are becoming major suppliers of global food products while still facing safe food handling issues, poor sanitation and potable water supply systems. Moreover, rapid urbanization in these countries is putting pressure on commercial food production and processing sectors, which may lead to compromises in food safety practices to meet the demand from domestic and international markets.