Abstract
LEARNING OUTCOME: Identify at least three new trends in food safety questions over ten years.The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Meat and Poultry Hotline plays a critical role in the prevention of foodborne illness by intervening at points in the food preparation process where the risk for food mishandling is greatest. In ten years of assessing questions to USDA’S 800 number, food safety specialists on the toll-free hotline have seen a general trend toward a wider variety of issues and more complex queries. More than 360,000 inquiries have been logged into a database since the hotline opened July 1985.Data revealed that callers have begun to relate inquiries to the prevention of foodborne illness and specific foodborne pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, data showed that callers are more aware of new technologies, such as irradiation and biotechnology, and their regulations. Questions about nutrition labeling changed with implementation of the Nutrition and Labeling Act (NLEA) of 1990. Interest in fat and cholesterol content, health claims, and new products increased. Issues such as the safe handling of take-out foods were identified with subsequent development of educational materials.New and changing trends in food safety issues have been identified and assessed. Continual review of the data from inquiries is an integral component of the hotline.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call