Food Safety 101 - Epidemic Intelligece

A week ago this past Saturday May 5 - United Fresh Produce Association sponsored a short course titled "Food Safety 101." Here is another element to that tightly packed four-hour long seminar. Ryan Novak, epidemic intelligence service officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explained what role CDC plays in traceback of foodborne illness. Novak stresses that CDC is not a regulatory body and seeks cooperation with the industry as it tries to reconstruct how pathogens are passed on. Interestingly, CDC was formed in the 1940s to control malaria in the U.S. Having quickly dispatched with malaria, the CDC has found plenty of other bugs to conquer. In his presentation, Novak describes in detail Hepatitis A green onion investigation, examining production practices in Mexico and at one point noting green onions are an "emerging" potential problem food.

By the way, I see that nearly 50 of you have downloaded Jan DeLyser's speech from the Women in Produce reception from the United show. Also, another score or so of you downloaded David Durkin's presentation from Food Safety 101 on FDA inspections and the industry. I think the audio links are revealing and hope you agree.