Harnessing the potentials of predictive microbiology in microbial food safety and quality research in Nigeria

Food constitutes one of the most important routes of transmission of infectious diseases. Microbial safety and quality of food is a global health concern owing to the emergence and reemergence of foodborne pathogens worldwide recently. Microbial pathogens are disease causing bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans [1,2]. Food-harboring microbial pathogens and microbial toxins can lead to foodborne disease [3]. Such unsafe foods, therefore, pose a global health threat and threaten economic loss, especially for those with compromised immune systems. Foodborne diseases are one of the 13 zoonoses responsible for over 2 billion human illnesses globally and result in 2.3 million deaths per year, mostly in developing countries [4]. Concerted efforts from governments, policy makers, scientists and general public in developing countries are required for both awareness and prevention of transmission of foodborne diseases.