Food pollution

Food is one of the most important commodities in all economies, and its contamination results in substantial economic losses. In some countries, food losses due to preventable spoilage can run to as much as 25 to 50% of the total crop. In addition, contaminated food has a lower market value or may not be exportable, resulting in lost foreign exchange. The economic and social costs of food contamination include medical care costs, loss of output or earnings resulting from illness, disability or premature death, as well as loss of manpower. Poor food safety may also affect tourism adversely.