Global warming has far-reaching consequences for the food chain, including new and increased food safety risks. One of the main impacts of climate change on food safety is the alteration of environmental conditions. It affects the growth, distribution, and survival of pathogens and pests. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events create suitable conditions for the spread of foodborne illnesses. 

Main Impact of Climatic Hazards on Pathogenic Disease

Last update: 08/04/2024
  • 58% of infectious diseases have been aggravated by climatic hazards at some point;
  • 1006 unique pathways in which climatic hazards led to pathogenic diseases- including 50 diseases transmitted via a food-borne pathway;
  • Mycotoxins: a slight elevation in CO2 levels will stimulate the growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi. This increased risk concerns particularly maize, wheat and other small grain species. Countries in temperate climates will run the highest risks.
Mycotoxins and Climate Change – How Europe contributes to global efforts, EFSA, 2019
Figure 1 – Risk maps for aflatoxin contamination in maize at harvest in 3 different climate scenarios, present, +2 °C, +5 °C. (P. Battilani, 2016 [1])
  • Microbes are also triggered by rising temperatures, promoting the growth and survival of pathogens like Salmonella and Vibrio;
  • Marine biotoxins: Rising sea temperatures, altered oceanic currents, and increased CO2 levels contribute to the growth of harmful algae blooms, leading to higher concentrations of biotoxins in the marine food chain. This poses risks to marine life and human health through contaminated seafood consumption. (FAO, 2020 [2])
Figure 2 – Traceable evidence of the impacts of climate change on pathogenic human diseases (Nature Climate Change, 2022, [3])

Veterinary Drugs & Pesticides

Last update: 08/04/2024

The rise of pathogenic diseases also triggers changes in farming practices, to adapt to changing climate. Rise in pesticides use and veterinary drugs is already observed, especially in regions suffering from high climate impacts and despite more and more stringent rules on their use in various regions.

This leads to two main concerns:

Veterinary Drug Residues Increase

With higher risks of emerging zoonoses, resistance of pathogens, and alterations of vector-borne diseases and parasites in animals, an increased use of veterinary drugs is predicted. This will result in higher residue levels of veterinary drugs in foods of animal origin. This poses not only acute and chronic risks to human health, but is directly linked to an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human and animal pathogens.

Pesticides Evolution

According to the WHO [4], the application of pesticides, and the subsequent residues in food, is an ongoing concern that is expected to become more prevalent due to climatic changes. Increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and shifts in pest dynamics impact pesticide use in agriculture. Higher temperatures can enhance pesticide degradation rates, reducing their efficacy. Changes in precipitation patterns can lead to runoff and increased pesticide leaching into water bodies, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, climate change can influence pest resistance and the need for higher pesticide doses.

Figure 3 – Factors putting pressure on the use of pesticides 

references

[1] P. Battilani, 2016. Aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize in Europe increases due to climate change.
[2] FAO, 2020. Climate change: Unpacking the burden on food safety.
[3] Mora et al., 2022. Nature Climate Change 12;869-875.
[4] WHO, 2018. Food Safety, Climate change and the role of the WHO.

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