phylogeny
the evolutionary history and relationships among organisms or genes, typically represented in a tree-like structure. In whole genome sequencing, phylogenies help trace the origin, spread, and genetic evolution of pathogens
In food safety, phylogeny is the study of how different organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or other microbes, are evolutionarily related to each other. It shows which species or strains are closely related and can help trace the origin or spread of foodborne pathogens.
EFSA uses phylogeny to better understand the relationships between microbes, track outbreaks, and assess risks. For example, by comparing the genetic sequences of bacterial strains, EFSA can see if infections in different locations come from the same source, identify emerging harmful strains, and support risk assessments and food safety decisions.