Hospital admissions due to foodborne illnesses, particularly from salmonella and E. coli, have surged to the highest levels in decades, according to new data from the NHS.
Between April 2022 and March 2023, 1,468 people in England were hospitalised due to salmonella infections, while E. coli cases soared to over 4,340 admissions. This equates to nine in every 100,000 people in 2023, compared to three per 100,000 in 2000.
In December 2023, 30 individuals were hospitalised due to an E. coli outbreak, which tragically led to one death. There have been other high-profile cases, including that of Paralympic hopeful Lizzi Jordan, who lost her sight and fell into a coma after contracting E. coli from a fast-food meal in 2017. With new cases continuing to surface, the spotlight has turned to food businesses, which are being urged to do more to protect consumers and prevent contamination.
While food businesses are responsible for adhering to food safety regulations, contamination risks can arise at any stage of the supply chain. For many companies, control over storage, transportation, and packaging processes – especially with imported goods – is limited, making it difficult to guarantee that safety standards are met from start to finish. The UK government’s 2023 national risk register has acknowledged this, rating the likelihood of supply chain contamination as four out of five.
As businesses adopt new technologies, however, the Internet of Things (IoT) is providing a solution, offering improved visibility and compliance throughout the entire food supply chain.
Ruby Whipp, Vice President of Product at mpro5, highlighted the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses at their source: “The most important step in ensuring food safety is preventing the occurrence of foodborne illness in the first instant. By leveraging IoT technologies, food companies will benefit from improved supply chain visibility and end-to-end traceability.”
She explained how technologies such as Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) tags play a crucial role in tracking the journey of food products. “RFID tags document the complete journey from origin to destination by transmitting location and sourcing data to companies, updating them on the exact whereabouts of each product throughout its journey to them. This way, any issues relating to product recall or batch contamination can be traced back through the chain, identifying locations of potential food safety breaches, such as a facility also handling nut products.”
In manufacturing facilities, IoT cameras add another layer of quality control by inspecting products and identifying packaging errors or contaminants. Whipp acknowledged that the initial investment may seem daunting, but the benefits of automation and consistency are clear: “Businesses will, in time, reap the benefits of reduced labour costs and improved operational consistency, bolstering their supplier-to-customer relations.”
The benefits extend to transportation as well. IoT sensors installed in refrigerated packaging or vehicles monitor shipment conditions in real time. If a temperature issue is detected, drivers are notified immediately and redirected to nearby facilities if necessary, ensuring that perishable goods maintain their quality and safety.
Once food products reach their destination, IoT devices continue to play a critical role. Sensors placed in storerooms, refrigerators, and display counters track conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure – factors that can threaten the integrity of food. With the large volumes of data collected, businesses can not only monitor real-time risks but also detect patterns, allowing them to take proactive steps to improve compliance and prevent future outbreaks.
“Integrating technologies to create an IoT infrastructure from food to fork presents benefits for all stakeholders,” Whipp concluded. “By improving traceability, providing real-time data, and ensuring correct storage, waste is reduced, and customer safety is rightfully cemented at the heart of all operations. In doing so, food businesses can maintain compliance with safety standards, identify potential food safety risks within the wider supply chain, and cultivate customer confidence once the products are in-store.”
