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Shellfish have become a popular delicacy and an important resource throughout the world in recent decades. Demand and production of shellfish are increasing, and food safety is an important consideration. Unfortunately, a number of episodes of human food poisoning have been recorded throughout history.

Ergot fungi (Claviceps species) are parasites on more than 600 grass species, including forage grasses and leading cereals worldwide: wheat, rice, barley, sorghum, oats, rye and millet. These fungi may produce a wide range of toxic substances that were responsible for the mass poisonings in the Middle Ages.

Giardia duodenalis are onecelled parasites that can cause gastrointestinal disease (giardiosis) in animals and humans. Animals can get some of the same kinds of Giardia as humans, but in most cases of giardosis in humans the contimination stems from other humans. Giardia can spread directly between humans, from animals to humans or from watersources via contamination of fertilizers and sewage .