Ensuring Safe Food From Production to Consumption (1998) / Chapter Skim
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6. Conclusions and Recommendations
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
Pages 91-100
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From page 91... ...
The charge to the committee was to perform two main tasks: assess the current US food safeW system and its effectiveness in addressing the continually changing concerns about food safety; alla provide recommendations on scientific and organizational changes needed to ensure an effective food safely system for the present and fixture generations. The effectiveness of efforts to ensure the safety of food for US consumers is not solely, perhaps not even primarily, He responsibility of the federal government.
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From page 92... ...
An example of these is the joint government-industry development of low-acid 1 During the 1 month period in which the final committee meeting was held (June, 1998) , national public health officials in the US reported three major outbreaks involving collectively more than 7,000 reported cases of food-related illness.
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From page 93... ...
Public resources can have the greatest favorable effect on public health if they are allocated in accordance with the combined analysis of risk assessment and technical feasibility. It is important to recognize that limiting allocation of resources to only those areas where high priority hazards exist can create another problem: other hazards with somewhat lower priority but with a much greater probability of reduction or elimination will not be addressed due to limited resources.
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From page 94... ...
. Include a unified, science-based food safety mission; integrate federal, state, and local food safety activities; allocate funding for food safety in accordance with science-based assessments of risk and potential benefit; provide adequate and identifiable support for research and surveillance to: monitor changes in risk or potential hazards brought on by changes in the food supply or consumption patterns, and improve the capability to predict and avoid new hazards; increase monitoring and surveillance efforts to improve knowledge of the incidence, seriousness, and cause-effect relationships of foodborne disease and related hazards; address the additional and distinctive efforts required to ensure the safety of imported foods; recognize and provide support for the burdens imposed on state and local authorities that have primary front-line responsibility for the regulation of food service establishments, and address consumers' behaviors related to safe food-handling practices.
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From page 95... ...
The state of knowledge and technology defines what is achievable through the application of current science. Public resources can have the greatest favorable effect on public health if they are allocated in accordance with the combined analysis of risk assessment and technical feasibility.
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From page 96... ...
Role of Risk Analysis The cornerstone of a science-based system of food safety is the incorporation of the results of risk analysis into all decisions regarding resource allocation, programmatic priorities, and public education activities. Risk assessment integrates data on exposure to harmful agents and dose-response relationships to estimate the risk of developing illness from eating specific foods.
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From page 97... ...
Whether or not a single agency emerges, the ultimate structure must provide for not just delegated responsibility, but also for control of resources and authority over food safety activities in the federal government Recommendation IIIb: Congress should provide the agency responsible for food safety at the federal level with the tools necessary to integrate and unify the efforts of authorities at the state and local levels to enhance food safety. This report specifically addresses He federal role in the food safety system, but the roles of state and local government entities are equally critical.
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From page 98... ...
The work of the states and localities in support of the federal mission deserves improved formal recognition and appropriate financial support. RATIONALE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS Centralized and Unified Federal Framework The committee believes that the creation of a centralized and unified federal framework is critical to improve the food safety system.
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From page 99... ...
The federal government must be able to ensure nationwide adherence to minimal standards. The work of the states and localities in support of the federal mission deserves better formal recognition and appropriate financial support.
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From page 100... ...
Government officials should develop and support partnerships and joint activities with the food industry and with consumers in pursuit of the goal of combating foodborne illness and related hazards.
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