Comparison of 3-day and 7-day recall periods for food consumption reference values in foodborne disease outbreak investigations. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morton, V. K.; Thomas, M. K.; Ciampa, N.; Cutler, J.; Hurst, M.; Currie, A.
• Is Part Of: Epidemiology and infection. Volume 147(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: Foodborne infections, -- outbreaks; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268818003370
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-2688

Abstract

Abstract: Investigations into an outbreak of foodborne disease attempt to identify the source of illness as quickly as possible. Population-based reference values for food consumption can assist in investigation by providing comparison data for hypothesis generation and also strengthening the evidence associated with a food product through hypothesis testing. In 2014–2015 a national phone survey was conducted in Canada to collect data on food consumption patterns using a 3- or 7-day recall period. The resulting food consumption values over the two recall periods were compared. The majority of food products did not show a significant difference in the consumption over 3 days and 7 days. However, comparison of reference values from the 3-day recall period to data from an investigation into a Salmonella Infantis outbreak was shown to support the conclusion that chicken was the source of the outbreak whereas the reference values from a 7-day recall did not support this finding. Reference values from multiple recall periods can assist in the hypothesis generation and hypothesis testing phase of foodborne outbreak investigations.