How safe is our food supply? Each year the media report what appears to be growing concern related to illness caused by the food consumed by Americans. These food borne illnesses are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, and food additives. Recent actions taken at the federal, state, and local levels in response to the increase in reported incidences of food borne illnesses point to the need to evaluate the food safety system in the United States. This book assesses the effectiveness of the current food safety system and provides recommendations on changes needed to ensure an effective science-based food safety system. Ensuring Safe Food discusses such important issues as:


What are the primary hazards associated with the food supply? What gaps exist in the current system for ensuring a safe food supply? What effects do trends in food consumption have on food safety? What is the impact of food preparation and handling practices in the home, in food services, or in production operations on the risk of food borne illnesses? What organizational changes in responsibility or oversight could be made to increase the effectiveness of the food safety system in the United States?


Current concerns associated with microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food supply are discussed. The book also considers how changes in technology and food processing might introduce new risks. Recommendations are made on steps for developing a coordinated, unified system for food safety. The book also highlights areas that need additional study. Ensuring Safe Food will be important for policymakers, food trade professionals, food producers, food processors, food researchers, public health professionals, and consumers.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1. Introduction and Background
2. The Current US Food Safety System
3. The Changing Nature of Food Hazards: Cause for Increasing Concern
4. What Constitutes an Effective Food Safety System?
5. Where Current US Food Safety Activities Fall Short
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Appendix A Glossary and Organizational Framework for the Current Food Safety System
Appendix B CRS Report for Congress, Food Safety: Recommendations for Changes in the Organization of Federal Food Safety Responsibilities, 1949-1997
Appendix C Executive Summary: Food Safety from Farm to Table: A National Food-Safety Initiative
Appendix D Summary of Comments and Testimony from Workshop (April 29-30,1998) and Agenda
Appendix E Federal Food Safety Budget Information
Appendix F Acknowledgments
Appendix G Committee Biographical Sketches