Using Lessons Learned from Outbreak Investigations to Enhance Food Safety

BACKGROUND: The US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) fulfills its regulatory mission to protect public health by working with Federal, State, and local partners to investigate and resolve outbreaks when meat, poultry, or processed eggs are associated with illness. The Office of Public Health Science’s primary strategic goals are to improve understanding of hazards and risks associated with FSIS product and to effectively use science to understand foodborne illness and emerging trends. 

METHODS: A descriptive analysis and summary of investigations involving FSIS-regulated product will be presented.  Several case studies will be used to illustrate how lessons learned translated into recommendations for new policy and modernization of food safety processes, as well as enhanced communication among public health partners.

RESULTS: FSIS investigated 164 foodborne disease outbreaks that occurred from FY2007 through FY2015. These investigations resulted in several significant policy and program changes, primarily impacting ground beef and poultry products.  Bacterial agents included Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.  Outcomes associated with these investigations include new requirements that retail meat grinders maintain actionable traceback records, changes to FSIS’ verification testing in chicken products, and consumer education efforts targeted to undercooked meat and poultry consumption.

CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned during outbreak investigations have led to changes in FSIS policy and programs to improve the safety of meat and poultry products. Information analyzed during outbreak investigations, from intensified product sampling, in-plant food safety assessments, and required data collected by industry, provides valuable information that can be utilized to protect public health.