Food Safety

Approximately 76 million Americans – one in four – are sickened by foodborne diseases each year. Of these, an estimated 325,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 die. Medical costs and lost productivity due to foodborne illness in the U.S. are estimated to cost $44 billion annually. Experts estimate that most foodborne illnesses could be prevented if the right measures were taken to improve the U.S. food safety system.
Right now, however, major gaps exist in the nation's food safety system, including obsolete laws, misallocation of resources, and inconsistencies among major food safety agencies.
In our report, Fixing Food Safety: Protecting America's Food Supply from Farm-to-Fork, we outline a plan to reallocate resources and restructure bureaucracy to significantly reduce the number of foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. each year, and keep America's food supply more secure.
TFAH Reports
September 2011
Remembering 9/11 and Anthrax: Public Health’s Vital Role in National Defense
September 2010
Ten Top Priorities for Prevention
March 2009
Keeping America's Food Safe
A Blueprint for Fixing the Food Safety System at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
October 2008
Blueprint for a Healthier America
Modernizing the Federal Public Health System to Focus on Prevention and Preparedness
April 2008
Fixing Food Safety
Protecting America's Food Supply from Farm-to-Fork
Latest News
June 20, 2011
Healthwatch news bites: agriculture spending bill passed
November 23, 2010
Time to Talk Turkey: Give FDA the Authority It Needs to Make Food Safe
November 18, 2010
Harkin Floor Remarks On Food Safety
September 10, 2009
Slow food potlucks promote healthier school meals
April 10, 2009
Listen to KQED's Forum: Food Safety
Policy Information
May 2009
Public Health Groups in Support of Strong Food Safety Legislation
March 2009
TFAH Letter in Suport of FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
February 2009
TFAH Letter in Support of Food Safety Modernization Act
December 2008
Structural Change at HHS to Improve Food Safety: A Transition Opportunity
September 2008
Congressional Testimony of Jeffrey Levi, Ph.D., Executive Director, Trust for America's Health Regarding Food Safety
Press Releases
June 17, 2011
TFAH Statement on the FY 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill: Dangerous for America’s Health
April 28, 2011
Statement on new “Ranking the Risks: The 10 Pathogen-Food Combinations with the Greatest Burden on Public Health” Report
December 22, 2010
Trust for America’s Health Commends Passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010
November 30, 2010
Trust for America’s Health Commends Passage of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2010
October 7, 2009
Trust for America’s Health Calls on Senate to Act Now to Reform U.S Food Safety
Resources
Selected items from TFAH's Resource Library:
Environmental Protection Agency--Pesticides and Food
The information in this area provides an overview of EPA's pesticide human health risk assessment processes, and information to educate consumers about food and pesticides.
EPA--Fish Advisories
Includes information on the risks of eating contaminated fish. While most of the nation's waters contain fish that are safe to eat, the EPA monitors our waters and issues fish advisories when contaminant levels are unsafe. A consumption advisory may recommend that people limit or avoid eating certain species of fish caught in certain lakes, rivers or coastal waters.
FDA--Food Safety Advisory on Mercury
A consumer advisory about the risks of mercury in fish, specifically pregnant women.
FDA--Mad Cow Disease
Webstite includes general information about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as Mad Cow Disease.
National Association of County and City Health Officials
NACCHO supports efforts that protect and improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources and programs, seeking health equity, and supporting effective local public health practice and systems.







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