Health report: Algeria counts 5000 cases of food and drink poisoning in 2011

Algiers- The phenomenon of intoxication noticed an alarming increase in 2011, particularly in boarding schools and universities, Head of the Confederation of Associations for Protecting Consumers, ZakiAhriz told Echorouk.

The spokesman added that food and pharmaceutical products, and soft drinks as well were on the top of the list of intoxication causes.

“The risk of food killed many Algerians in 2011, particularly in fast food restaurants, where associations of protecting consumers reported a complete lack of cleanness in this kind of shops.A large number of citizens also suffered intoxication due to food they consumed in restaurants for domestic passengers, as usually bus drivers agree with owners of these restaurants to bring passengers in order to eat there, but these meals are the main source of poisoning. A number of foods, including soft drinks, are a source of poisoning in Algeria. Algerians have a bad food habit and should change it”.

“There are no precise numbers or statistics on the phenomenon of poisoning. However; the National Authority for Health Promotion counts more than 5000 cases of poisoning each year, usually a largest number of victims are people who attend ceremonies, pupils and students. Many citizens who suffered food poisoning discover their real situation only in hospitals”, he explained.

“The confederation is preparing a comprehensive report about poisoning in order to remedy the situation with the beginning of 2012. The Ministry of Commerce, established a special program to confront the dangers of food poisoning, and appointed commissions at the national level, in order to control fast food restaurants and everything to do with the food marketing, soft drinks, juices and ice-creams”.