In the meat processing industry, Sweden has nearly eliminated Salmonella, one of the most common bacterial infections found in meat. A national control strategy initiated 40 years ago ensures low Sal monella prevalence in animals. This strategy involves the prevention of contamination in meat at all critical points in the food chain, with a focus on early elimination of infection.
International efforts are also being made to reduce soil, water and environmental pollution from heavy metals and pesticides. A UN Environment Programme 2004 paper lists the efforts of 28 countries to limit mercury pollution. For example, Switzerland continues to phase out many of the earlier applications of mercury like electrical equipment, batteries containing high percentage of mercury, etc. The FAO Pesticide Risk Reduction survey, 1999 also shows the efforts made by South Africa, Korea, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Ecuador and Jamaica to reduce the usage of hazardous/ harmful pesticides.
Innovation and technology enables quick info sharing between different agencies and countries, leading to better food surveillance and monitoring. The Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET) is a seamless, web-based data exchange system for food testing information used by USA. Multiple agencies can compare, communicate, and coordinate laboratory findings. It enables health officials to assess risks and issue early-warnings for potentially hazardous foods.
The EU has also established a system to provide authorities with an effective tool for exchange of in formation called the EC Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). The RASFF Commission is notified in case of a serious direct or indirect risk to human health, and it immediately transmits this in formation to other network members. Learning from these models, India too can set up an info-sharing network to report early cases of contamination and prevent a larger outbreak.