WA Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2023-2026
29 September 2023
The WA Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2023-2026 (PDF 2836KB) has been developed with the goal of reducing foodborne illness levels over the next three years.
Foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Campylobacter continues to be the leading cause of foodborne illness in WA. In 2022, WA experienced a historic peak in Campylobacteriosis rates, with a 28% increase in cases compared to the previous year.
This updated strategy will be founded on a risk-based management approach and will incorporate valuable insights gained from the successful interventions and programs of the previous strategy.
Focus areas
The three key focus areas of the strategy are to:
- Establish and maintain an effective surveillance and response system;
- Minimise food safety risks at the primary production and processing stage;
- Raise consumer food safety awareness.
Implementation
To oversee the strategy's implementation, a cross-government advisory group will provide governance and collaborate closely with the following food industries:
- Chicken meat industry
- Egg industry
- High-risk horticulture industry (leafy vegetables, melons and berries)
Foodborne Illness reduction strategy 2018-2021
In Western Australia (WA), foodborne illness caused by salmonella reached an all-time high in 2017, surpassing the national average by 1.5 times. Through the implementation of the previous WA Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021 (PDF 95KB) and the close industry collaboration with the WA Health Salmonella Taskforce (PDF 284KB), WA managed to reduce salmonellosis rates below the national average by the end of 2022.