Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence (CoEs): Strengthening State and Local Capacity for Foodborne Illness Surveillance and Outbreak Response

Key Objectives:
To educate CSTE members on current products available for use from the integrated Food Safety Centers of Excelllence

Brief Summary:
BACKGROUND:  As required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), CDC designated five CoEs (Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon and Tennessee) through a competitive grant process in August 2012. CoEs, located at state health departments in partnership with an academic center, serve as resources for other local, state, and federal public health professionals to respond to outbreaks of foodborne illness.  METHODS:  CoE activities included in FSMA:

• ·        Collaboration with frontline public health professionals to strengthen routine foodborne illness surveillance and outbreak investigations 
• ·        Evaluation and analysis of the timeliness and effectiveness of foodborne illness surveillance and outbreak response
• ·        Training local and state public health personnel in epidemiological and environmental investigation of foodborne illness, including timeliness, coordination, and standardization of the investigation process
• ·        Establishment of fellowships, stipends and scholarships to train future food safety leaders in foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigation and to address critical workforce shortages
• ·        Strengthening capacity to participate in foodborne illness surveillance and environmental assessment information systems
• ·        Conducting program evaluation and outreach activities focused on increasing prevention, communication, and education regarding food safety

RESULTS: CoEs have begun work under several of the FSMA activity areas. Through their unique health department/academic institution partnerships, CoEs provide technical assistance, online and in-person training, and various tools to other local, state, and federal public health professionals to improve capacity for foodborne illness surveillance and outbreak response. Examples of these will be presented. CONCLUSIONS:  In 2012, CDC responded to Congress’s mandate to designate five CoEs. Since their establishment, CoEs have begun to address the required activities. Many products developed by the CoEs are available online for immediate use by other local, state, and federal public health professionals. Additionally, CoEs are available for support and guidance for those looking to improve their foodborne illness surveillance and response capacity.