Second formal meeting of the foodborne disease burden epidemiology reference group (‎FERG)‎: appraising the evidence and reviewing Initial results

This report describes the outcome of the second formal meeting of the FERG in November 2008 (FERG 2) and highlights the progress made during the Initiative’s first year, which included:

• An appraisal of the methods and preliminary results of ten systematic reviews commissioned in the areas of enteric, parasitic and chemical causes of foodborne diseases, as well as mortality;
• The development of detailed new work plans for all FERG Task Forces for 2009, including new burden work to be commissioned;
• The establishment of the FERG Source Attribution Task Force and execution of its technical recommendations;
• Agreement on the terms of reference of the new FERG Country Studies Task Force in 2009;
• A formal evaluation of the activities, processes and outputs of the first year of the FERG; and
• A major, multisectoral stakeholders meeting which provided valuable input and recommendations to WHO in the areas of technical reviews, communication and policy.