Key Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of working with local and state governments to collaborate and communicate during an investigation to identify and eliminate the source of contamination, and prevent illness.
- Discuss the importance of sharing results with industry and working with them to eliminate the source of contamination.
- Describe level of evidence needed in order to support product recall and other potential enforcement actions.
- Enhance understanding of how information about investigations can be accessed during and after an outbreak investigation among federal and state authorities, mechanisms for information sharing, and the importance of consistent and accurate risk communication messages for the public.
Brief Summary:
FSIS plays an important role as both a public health and regulatory agency, and requires strong working relationships with other Federal, State and local agencies to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks that may be associated with FSIS regulated products. During this process, timely information-sharing among partners is critical to effectively respond to illness outbreaks. However, legal barriers to sharing proprietary information may exist, despite intentions to protect public health. This session will include a roundtable discussion about the various roles and responsibilities of FSIS officials during an outbreak investigation, critical information that is needed from various stakeholders and examples of challenges that FSIS is trying to address to improve the investigative process. This session will also highlight the importance of working with industry and collaborating with federal, state, and local governments, to gather the information needed to effectively identify the source of contamination, mitigate or eliminate the root cause, and prevent illnesses through policy changes. The intended outcome of this session is for participants to acquire a better understanding of FSIS’s role in protecting public health and suggest ways to strengthen communication practices among stakeholders in advance of an outbreak investigation.