site.bta270 Bulgarians Had Food Poisoning in 2014

270 Bulgarians Had Food Poisoning in 2014

Sofia, April 6 (BTA) - The Chief Health Inspector, Dr Angel
Kounchev, said that 270 Bulgarians, including many children, had
 food poisoning in 15 incidents registered in 2014. In seven
cases people ate out. In most cases the food poisoning was
caused by Salmonella or Staphylococcus bacteria.

Dr Kounchev listed the health-impairing factors: unsafe or
unhealthy food, a sedentary lifestyle, environmental pollution
and stress. They increase the incidence of cancer and heart
disease.

The National Center of Public Health and Analyses (NCPHA)
presented a poster and  "Five Keys to Safer Food", a WHO
animated short film, which will be shown in kindergartens and
schools.

A survey conducted by the NCPHA in 2013 found that 90 per cent
of children under five years of age want to have food they have
seen in a TV commercial, and 70 per cent of parents buy it,
although they are aware that it is unhealthy, said Prof Veselka
Douleva, National Dietetics Consultant.

Kamen Nikolov of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency stressed the
need to differentiate between safe and healthy food. He said
Bulgaria has a good regulatory framework but businesses are not
fully familiar with it.

This year the World Health Organisation (WHO) is dedicating its
annual World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, to the issue of
food safety. WHO is highlighting the challenges and
opportunities associated with food safety under the slogan "From
 farm to plate, make food safe."