Food safety in Laos: status, current challenges and opportunities

Abstract

SummaryThis article reviews available evidence on food safety and foodborne illness in Laos, especially as it relates to human nutrition. There is a distinct lack of research in Laos surrounding bacterial, viral, parasitic and chemical foodborne contaminants, which contribute to significant yet avoidable public health problems. Viral and chemical foodborne contaminants are especially under researched. Major challenges include undeveloped reporting systems for outbreaks, zoonotic foodborne pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, resource constraints and communicating food safety risks to diverse ethnic groups. Evidence‐based food safety policy in Laos requires improved surveillance and reporting, identification of evidence gaps within food value chains, assessments of risks and cost‐effective approaches, and supporting partnerships with neighbouring countries. Specific suggestions for targeted research involve conducting longitudinal studies to ascertain long‐term public health impacts, continuing to identify foodborne etiologic agents and transmission routes in Laos and implementing interdisciplinary, One Health approaches to address complex problems more sustainably.