Each year millions of people in the United States become ill from food they consume, and some, primarily the very young, elderly, and immune-compromised, die every year as a result. Although the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world, estimates of foodborne illness, hazards, and the impact on public health demonstrated opportunities for further improvement. The President's Council on Food Safety, established in August 1998 to strengthen and focus efforts to coordinate food safety policy and resources, was directed to develop a 5-year comprehensive national Food Safety Strategic Plan to reduce acute and chronic foodborne and waterborne illness by enhancing the safety of the nation's food supply. Public review and comments from stakeholders have provided important contributions to the development the Plan.The vision for food safety in the United States is that consumers can be confident that food is safe. The public health is protected through a seamless food safety system that uses farm-to-table preventive strategies integrating research, surveillance, inspection, enforcement, and education. It also includes being vigilant to new and emerging threats and to consider the needs of vulnerable populations. Food is safe because everyone understands and fulfills their responsibilities. The Plan's three major goals are based on: SOUND SCIENCE AND RISK ASSESSMENT, RISK MANAGEMENT, AND EFFECTIVE RISK COMMUNICATION. Goals include major objectives with key action items. For continued and effective implementation of the Food Safety Strategic Plan, it is essential to educate all stakeholders on the Plan and its public health significance.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the public health importance of the Food Safety Strategic Plan. 2. Understand the Plan's key goals and objectives, how they will be implemented, and how progress will be measured
Keywords: Food Safety, Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.