The International Association for Food and Waterborne Parasitology (IAFWP) is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 2015. IAFWP is governed by an Executive Board. In cooperation with the Editorial Board of the journal Food and Waterborne Parasitology (FAWPAR), the IAFWP serves as a resource to scientists and others engaged in various activities for the control of parasites transmitted to humans by ingestion of food or water. The scope of the IAFWP and FAWPAR includes all relevant parasites – protozoa, trematodes, cestodes, nematodes – that may be acquired from various types of meat, vegetables, fruit, water or beverage.
The biology and epidemiology of many parasites transmitted by food or water are poorly understood and control of these parasites in both humans and the food supply web presents unique challenges. Some of the resulting widespread or serious parasitoses have recently been categorized as neglected diseases. Consequently, food and waterborne parasitology is increasingly recognized as a priority area for study, including the generation of knowledge for practical applications. The goals of both the IAFWP and FAWPAR are to play key roles in the dissemination of knowledge on all aspects of food and waterborne parasitology, to stimulate critical thinking, networking, and research collaboration ranging from basic to applied.
The demand for safe food and water continues to increase and many parasites remain a significant public health risk in both developed and developing countries, and a challenge for international trade and economies. National and international regulatory authorities have recently renewed efforts to address these issues. The IAFWP and FAWPAR likewise intend to serve as a major resource for knowledge to inform consumers, regulators and other stakeholders of best practices for controlling parasites in the food and water supplies.
We invite all who work in the areas described here including academia, government, industry, public health workers, researchers, and students, as well as individuals working in a regulatory environment, to contribute to the goals of IAFWP by submitting their research findings and investigative reports for publication in FAWPAR.
Alvin Gajadhar, President
Ray Gamble, Chairman