A network to monitor and track food-borne diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms will be set up, a senior food safety expert said.

These organisms, usually a bacteria or virus, are microscopic and can cause serious illnesses, diarrhea and, in extreme cases, even death. They thrive in unhygienic conditions and can be very resistant.

Yan Weixing, secretary-general of the safety committee under the China Food Safety Risk Assessment Center, told China Daily that many cases were not even reported.