Eileen Parish, MD, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740-3835, (301) 436-2126, eparish@cfsan.fda.gov

The United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world although estimates of foodborne illness and its impact on public health demonstrate opportunities for further improvement. Over the last number of years, the federal food safety agencies have significantly strengthened the food safety systems across the entire distribution chain from farm to table. There are new surveillance systems, stronger prevention programs, and faster outbreak response capabilities. It is by enhancing theses systems that the Food and Drug Administration and other federal food safety agencies are protecting the safety of the US food supply against natural and accidental threats such as microbiological and chemical contaminants. These agencies are also working to protect the food supply from deliberate threats of terrorism. This presentation will focus on current food safety policies and the strategies developed ensuring the safety of the food supply from accidental or intentional contamination.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participants will be able to

• Assess the public health importance of current food safety policies.
• Articulate and comment on proposed interventions to keep the US food supply safe.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.