Maintenance of water and food quality in the Stabilization Forces area of operations: German surveillance laboratories and the problem of expired field rations

Abstract

The medical services of the German contingent of the Stabilization Forces in Bosnia maintain a high-standard preventive health care system. Because knowledge about German food and water surveillance laboratories is not widespread, these and the methods used for sample examinations as well as their analytical capacities are introduced. From July to November 1998, we examined 168 food samples. Three percent of them were considered unsafe for consumption as a result of micro-biological contamination. None was considered unsafe for chemical reasons. Consequently, only one case of suspected food-borne infection occurred. Similar results were found when we examined water quality. Generally, microbiological contamination was low. One sample of mineral water (0.5%) was considered unsafe for consumption for chemical reasons. These findings suggest a high-quality standard of food and water supply for the Stabilization Forces in Bosnia. The maintenance of this level is an important aim of the German preventive health care system.