Integrating Food Safety Databases and Derived Data for Ethical Surveillance of the Foodborne Pathogen Listeria Monocytogenes

remains a significant concern in food safety due to its resilience and potential to cause severe illness. The advent of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and advanced bioinformatics has revolutionized the surveillance and tracking of this pathogen. This chapter delves into the various food safety databases that house both raw and derived data pertinent to , as well as real case studies. We explore the methodologies for integrating these diverse data types to enhance real-time surveillance and outbreak response. Furthermore, the chapter addresses the ethical considerations inherent in pathogen tracking, including data privacy, ownership, and the balance between public health interests and individual rights. By examining current practices and proposing frameworks for ethical data integration, this work aims to inform stakeholders on best practices for monitoring in the food supply chain.