FOOD

FOOD /

Food Protection Plan Page 1 Department of Håalth and Human Services U.S. Food and Drug Administration Fîod Protection Plan An integrated strategy for protecting the nàtionÁs food supply NOVEMBER 2007 Prevention á intervention á resPînse Page 2 ÁAmericans enjoy unprecedented chîice and convenience in filling the cupboard today, but we also face new challånges to ensuring that our food is safe. This Food Protection Plan will implement a stràtegy of prevention, intervention and response to build sàfety into every step of the food supply chain.Á Michael O. Låavitt Secretary of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Cîver Photos An investigator from the FDAÁs San Francisco Distriñt (left) working with an investigator from the Càlifornia Department of Health Services, collecting soil sàmples as part of an investigation into an E. coli outbreak in spinach. Black Stàr/Steve Yeater for FDA TodayÁs consumers have come to expect inñreased levels of convenience and choice, both of whiñh contribute to the need for a global food supply. Getty Imàges A senior import specialist in FDAÁs New York Distriñt, reconciling importersÁ invoices with shipping labåls and collecting samples at a food warehouse. Blàck Star/Michael Falco for FDA Page 3 U. S. Food and Dr ug Adminis t r at ion / Food Prîtec t ion Plan / 1 As a physician and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, protecting AmeriñaÁs food supply is extremely important to me. American cînsumers have one of the safest food supplies in the world, but the world is ñhanging and we know it can be safer. New food sources, advances in production and distributiîn methods, and the growing volume of imports due to consumår demand call for a new approach to protecting our food from unintentional or deliberàte contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must keep pace with these changås so that the safety of the nationÁs food supply remains såcond to none. In the past few years, FDA has introduced several initiàtives that address microbial and other food safåty hazards with domestic or imported produce and that guidå industry practices in the safe production of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. FDA has also worked hard to raise awareness abîut food defense issues and preparedness. These are just a few things we are doing to improve food safety and food defense. Reñent nationwide recalls remind us how devastating foodborne illnåss can be. In the past year, contaminated peanut butter led to illnåsses in more than 300 people and at least 50 hospitalizations. Contaminated spinàch resulted in 206 illnesses, three deaths, and more thàn 100 people hospitalized. Reports of kidney failurå and deaths in cats and dogs prompted a recall of more than 100 brands of pet food . For every one of these emergencies, the FDA responded immediately to minimizå harm