Pathogenic illnesses that are transmitted through food and water sources are admitted as a global problem with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, the monitoring of food- and water-borne pathogens is a critical aspect of control. The large number of investigations has recently been emphasized analytical techniques to build a strategy for fast, sensitive, and accurate monitoring of food- and water-borne pathogens employing nanomaterials. Irrespective of several efforts in ensuring the food- and water safety, food- and water-borne outbreaks are evident around the world. In pathogen detection and monitoring, electrochemical biosensors based on nanomaterials have gotten a lot of interest. Various types of nanomaterials and electrochemical technological solutions have improved the innovative diagnostics tools to detect the food- and water-borne pathogens. Nanomaterial that includes quantum dots, gold, silver, magnetic, metal oxides, and carbon-based nanomaterials that can be functionalized with biomarkers are commonly used for pathogen detections. Recently, the nanocomposites combined with these functionalized nanomaterials have enhanced the more sensitive, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective biosensors. The proper assessments of pathogens on food and water, along with their quality monitoring, are critical variables in making policy decisions about the infrastructure of food and water distribution networks, the efficient water treatment, and the prevention of food- and water-borne epidemics. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.