The fear of contracting Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
(BSE), the extensive illegal use of growth hormones,
the outbreaks of E. coli O157, the extensive use
of artificial chemicals in food manufacturing and many
other concerns have severely undermined the confidence
of European consumers, not only in beef, but in the
food industry in general. Similar, although less marked,
trends are observed in North America and Japan, with
particular concern about both the new food borne
pathogens that have resulted in major food poisoning
outbreaks and the presence of pesticide residues in foods
(Tent, 1999). Overall, the costs of food borne illness
include the cost of medical treatment, productivity loss,
pain and suffering of affected individuals, industry losses,
and losses within the public health sector (Harris, 1997).