Food safety metrics and partnerships are key, say US agencies

Federal bodies in the United States are to hold public meetings to outline new proposals on how to measure food safety: “What doesn't get measured doesn't get done”

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be discussing their joint efforts to boost the nation’s food safety at two public meetings to be held next month in Chicago and Portland, Oregon.

As well as hearing from relevant groups on suggested initiatives to boost food safety, the agencies will be providing a progress report on efforts by President Obama’s working group to lay down measurements to gauge food safety.

The federal bodies will also discuss how these metrics could be used to measure success on its egg shell and broiler chicken safety schemes.

The agencies stressed the need for introducing measurements, with USDA deputy under-secretary for food safety Jerold R. Mande saying: “What doesn't get measured doesn't get done.”

"Measuring progress in reducing the risk of foodborne illness is an important part of our food safety strategy. It's how we know what's working and helps us learn from experience," said FDA deputy commissioner for foods Michael Taylor.

Source: FoodqualityNews