Analysis on the characteristics of food poisoning and countermeasures in China in 2012

Objective To investigate the characteristics of food poisoning in China in 2012 and to analyze the preventive countermeasures.Methods The food poisoning data in 2012 from National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China was analyzed to investigate the characteristics of food poisoning.Results The cases of food poisoning caused by toxic plants,animals and mushroom accounted for 41.4% in total cases of food poisoning,and the death toll accounted for 67.8%.Microbial food poisoning had the highest incidence,accounted for 56.1%.From May to October,the cases of food poisoning,the number of patients and death toll accounted for 70.1%,61.4% and 79.4% in total cases of food poisoning,respectively.Food poisoning was found to mostly occur in collective canteens,accounting for 46.3% of the total.Conclusion Microbial food poisoning is the main cause for food poisoning,and the food poisoning mainly happens from May to October.More supervision on catering industry should be strengthened to prevent contamination in summer and autumn.It is essential to popularize knowledge of food poisoning and improve the ability of emergency disposal.