Dear Colleagues,

Foodborne diseases are a serious global health concern, caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water with bacteria, viruses, or fungi. These infections can lead to symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe poisoning. Pathogens, such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, are particularly concerning due to their persistence in food environments and their association with antimicrobial resistance, which complicates treatment and facilitates spreading through the food chain.

These illnesses place a heavy burden on low- and middle-income countries and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including children under five, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Source attribution studies help identify critical points of contamination across the food supply chain, from the original pathogen reservoir to food processing and consumption, supporting targeted prevention strategies.

However, timely and accurate detection is crucial for effectively controlling outbreaks. While culture methods are reliable but slow, PCR is highly sensitive but requires complex procedures and only provides DNA detection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) offers speed and specificity, but it is limited in terms of sensitivity and cost efficiency. Meanwhile, commercial kits (API, BAX, VIDAS) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) provide faster results but are costly and less suitable for field applications. Spectroscopic techniques, such as Raman and infrared spectroscopy, are promising alternatives, offering speed, minimal sample preparation, and non-destructive analysis. Subsequently, to promote the widespread adoption of detection methods, the tools must be portable, affordable, and reliable.

Additionally, foodomics, which represents an integrated approach that combines genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, can provide comprehensive insights into food safety. However, the high-dimensional data from foodomics requires advanced analytical methods to identify meaningful biomarkers.

This special issue welcomes contributions that promote the development of rapid, accurate, and accessible detection methods for foodborne pathogens. By fostering innovative and interdisciplinary research, this issue aims to advance global food safety and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases worldwide.

Assoc. Prof. Maria Schirone
Guest Editor