Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health

Transcription

1 Public Health Law Series Webinar Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health February 25, 2016

2 How to Use Webex Audio: If you can hear us through your computer, you do not need to use your phone. Just adjust your computer speakers as needed. Support: If you need technical assistance, call Webex Technical Support at Submitting Questions: All participants are muted. Type a question into the Q & A panel for our panelists to answer. Submit your questions at any time during webinar. Recording: This webinar is being recorded. If you arrive late, miss details or would like to share it, we will send you a link to this recording after the session has ended. Public Health Law Series Webinar: Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health

3 Public Health Law Series Webinar Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health February 25, 2016

4 Moderator Mat Swinburne, Senior Staff Attorney, Network for Public Health Law, Eastern Region J.D., University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law Research interests/areas of expertise: Food safety and security Injury prevention Environmental health Taking Public on Health Tobacco Law Regulation Series: Webinar: Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health

5 Presenter Introduction Carol Blake, Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education at the Food Safety Inspection Service B.A., Randolph Macon College Areas of expertise: Food safety Food safety education Development of apps, consumer tools, and social media to improve public health Taking Public on Health Tobacco Law Regulation Series: Webinar: Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health

6 Presenter Introduction David P. Goldman, Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Health Science at the Food Safety Inspection Service M.D., University of Virginia M.P.H., University of Washington Research interests/areas of expertise: Food safety Epidemiology Preventative medicine Taking Public on Health Tobacco Law Regulation Series: Webinar: Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health

7 Thursday, February 25, 2016 The Network for Public Health Law

8 Food Safety: Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health FSIS Overview Carol Blake Public health importance Statutes Organizational Structure Focus on Office of Public Health Science Dr. David Goldman Outbreak Investigations Recalls Working with partners 8

9 The Threat of Foodborne Illness Each year, foodborne illness... Sickens Results in Causes Costs consumers 1 in 6 128k 3,000 $6.9 Americans Hospitalizations deaths billion 4 pathogens most frequently affect our regulated products. } E. coli Listeria Salmonella Campylobacter 9

10 Mission in Action We are the public health agency in the USDA responsible for ensuring that meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, and accurately labeled. 10

11 Our Statutes Our Authority Through a series of Acts, Congress empowers FSIS to inspect all meat, poultry, and processed egg products in interstate commerce. Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), 1906 Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), 1957 Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA), 1970 Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA), 1958 Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA),

12 Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Rule and Performance Standards Modernization Rule: Poultry facilities are required to perform their own microbiological testing at two points in their production process to show that they are controlling enteric pathogens Pathogens must be addressed in HACCP system New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS): Plants decide to participate Allows inspectors to focus less on routine quality assurance and instead focus on strategies proven to strengthen food safety Performance Standards: Final standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken and turkey products Designed to achieve at least a thirty percent reduction in illnesses from Salmonella. USDA expects these actions to prevent as many as 50,000 foodborne illnesses annually. FSIS will begin web posting the category status of all establishments subject to existing poultry carcass pathogen reduction performance standards 12

13 The Latest FSIS Regulation: Siluriformes Establishing an inspection program for fish under the order Siluriformes, including catfish Rule will become effective in March 2016 Inspection of Siluriformes slaughter and processing establishments Residue and species sampling on imported products Countries will need to apply for equivalency determination 13

14 One Team, One Purpose We work together to accomplish our mission of protecting public health. More than 9,600 employees strong 14

15 Where We Work 15

16 Foodborne Illness Prevention How FSIS prevents foodborne illness 16

17 Tackling the Threat of Foodborne Illness We implement policies based on scientific understanding of foodborne illness and emerging trends. 17

18 Our Partnerships Make Us Stronger To ensure the safety along the farm to table continuum, FSIS collaborates with: Federal agencies States Tribal authorities Stakeholders The public health community is more powerful when it speaks with a single voice and shares resources in service of a common mission. 18

19 Office of the Administrator The Civil Rights Staff The Office of the Chief Financial Officer The Office of the Chief Information Officer The U.S. Codex Office The Internal Control Staff Office of International Coordination 19

20 Office of Field Operations Through the work of Field Operations, FSIS has a footprint in every community and touches dinner tables from coast to coast. Field Employees: Coordinate inspection and enforcement activities Ensure that the products that FSIS regulates are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled Perform in depth evaluations and assessments Gather data to inform our understanding of the risks in the food system Implement the science based policies that the agency develops 20

21 Office of Public Health Science Public Health Science Employees: Assist in investigating national and international outbreaks FSIS performs approximately 190,000 scientific analyses every year. Monitor current and emerging foodborne threats Advise leadership on matters of science to improve policies and program 21

22 Office of Policy and Program Development Policy and Program Development Employees: Develop regulations as well as instructions for inspectors to implement these regulations Modernize the agency s approach to counter emerging risks to meat, poultry, and processed egg products. This work yields constant improvements as our inspection evolves through time. 22

23 Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Employees: Respond to Foodborne illness outbreaks Natural disasters Intentional contamination events Conduct Surveillance Investigations Enforcement activities Investigation, Enforcement and Audit is the eyes and ears of the agency, enforcing policies to keep food safe for the consumer. 23

24 Office of Data Integration and Food Protection Data Integration and Food Protection Employees: Provide consistent and highquality data analyses Develop emergency management policies and food defense directives Implement procedures to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any contamination, food emergency, or natural disaster that affects FSIS regulated products We analyze datasets to identify trends and develop solutions all in service of food safety and food defense 24

25 Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education Public Affairs and Consumer Education Employees: Provide all external and internal stakeholders with timely, accurate, and relevant information about the work that FSIS is doing to protect public health Educate consumers on how to safely handle and prepare foods FSIS is dedicated to transparency. 25

26 Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training Outreach, Employee Education and Training Employees: Directs outreach, education, and training programs for the staff Provide resources to help small and very small plants interpret our rules and regulations to enhance their food safety systems We believe in continual learning. 26

27 Office of Management Administrative and support services: Benefits and Pay Recruitment and Staff Acquisition Performance Management Employee Relations Labor Relations Procurement Facilities, Fleet and Property Services Travel and Commuting Work and Home Life Balance Employee Health and Safety Physical Security Greening Initiative We provide essential resources, systems, and processes to enable employees to carry out the food safety mission. 27

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29 FSIS Foodborne Illness Investigation Overview David Goldman, MD, MPH Assistant Administrator Office of Public Health Science Food Safety and Inspection Service

30 Fundamentals of FSIS Foodborne Illness Investigation This Directive provides information on: Factors that determine the need for an investigation Product sampling considerations during an investigation Procedures for traceback and trace forward activities Considerations for determining the epidemiological association between illness and product Agency actions based upon investigation findings

31 Outbreak Investigation Essentials Laboratory Environmental Health Epidemiology In collaboration with public health partners, FSIS collects and evaluates epidemiological, microbiological, and traceback evidence o Epidemiology: Who, what, when, where, and how o Laboratory: Food, environmental, and clinical samples o Environmental Health: Traceback in addition to assessments and inspection

32 Foodborne Illness Investigation Objectives Determine whether reported human illnesses are associated with FSIS regulated product Identify the source of production and distribution of the suspect meat, poultry, or processed egg product Gather information to guide response associated with reported illnesses and prevent further exposure Collect information that can be used as evidence to support necessary enforcement action Identify contributing factors and recommend actions or policies to prevent illness

33 Cluster Reporting to FSIS Speed and accuracy are essential in illness outbreak investigations because they: o Identify the suspect product more quickly, which: Federal Partners (CDC, FDA) o o o May prevent additional illnesses May prevent future outbreaks Keeps the American public confident in the food supply and public health system State Partners (Public Health and Agriculture) FSIS/Office of Public Health Science/ Applied Epidemiology Staff Others in FSIS (Outbreak Section of the Eastern Laboratory, OIEA CID, OFO) o Minimize economic and public health costs Other Surveillance Sources (Media tracking, consumer complaints)

34 FSIS Action Associated with Illness Investigations, FSIS responded to a total of 351 outbreaks from 2007 to 2015 o 145 were likely from FSIS regulated product o 90% of investigations were related to Salmonella and E. coli Incident Investigation Team Number / % Product Traceback 124 (86%) Food Safety Assessment 87 (60%) Intensified Verification Testing 7 (5%) Incident Investigative Team 5 (3%) Investigations where FSIS took the following actions Number / % FSIS Media Releases 65 (45%) Product Recalls 57 (39%) Notice of Intended Enforcement 26 (18%) Suspensions 12 (8%)

35 Sample Collection Procedures This Directive provides information on: Methodologies on collecting, safeguarding, and disposing of evidence in the performance of surveillance, investigations, and other activities under the Acts Procedures on collecting investigative samples

36 Who collects samples? Office of Investigation, Enforcement, and Audit Conduct foodborne illness investigations Traceback/Traceforward activities Collect case patient purchase history Initiate product control actions (e.g., detentions and seizures) Collect samples of meat, poultry, and egg products in commerce for testing as needed

37 Additional Actions by OIEA OIEA Actions during a FSIS Foodborne Illness Investigation Obtain product distribution information via store invoices, customer sales receipts and/or shopper cards Conduct traceback/traceforward movement of product in commerce Facilitate removal of product in commerce Collect and document investigative findings that can lead or be used to support an enforcement action Share information with partners involved (e.g., federal, state, local)

38 Traceback Procedures Foodborne illness investigation initiated by FSIS Investigators receive case patient s shopper card number from CDC or state officials for traceback Investigators contact business (firms) By phone By In person No formal form is provided Some businesses require signed or notarized letter from the case patient Delays traceback Possibility of no data ever provided if form is not signed Business provides information requested Redacts personally identifiable information if possible Only FSIS amenable products (meat, poultry, egg products) Investigators use information to perform traceback activities If personally identifiable information cannot be removed, data are protected in accordance with federal laws Seeking elimination of these policies because Case patient provides shopper card information No personally identifiable information is requested FSIS has the legal right to the information

39 Can we recall? There are three (3)types of evidence necessary for FSIS/OPHS to pursue a product recall Evidence needed/evaluated includes a combination of: o Epidemiologic o Traceback o Laboratory

40 FSIS does not have mandatory recall authority FSIS may initiate the recall process by informing a firm that adulterated product has been identified in commerce A recall may be an alternative to FSIS detention and seizure Manufacturers and distributors initiate recalls A recall is a fast and effective method of removing products from commerce, particularly when many lots of product have been widely distributed Recalls

41 FSIS Recall Committee Members Office of Field Operations: Recall Management and Technical Analysis Division FSIS District Office Office of Public Policy and Program Development Office of Public Health Science Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education: Congressional and Public Affairs

42 Recall Process Once the committee has unanimously agreed on a recommendation, RMTAS contacts the firm The firm is advised of the Recall Committee s recommendations Questions from both FSIS and the plant are discussed Although not required, FSIS expects the firm to provide the Recall Committee its recall strategy, including how it intends to notify and instruct its consignees to retrieve or dispose of recalled product

43 Firm s Recall Actions Promptly notify each direct consignee about recall: Usually done via telephone followed by written notification (fax, letter, and/or ) Identify exact product, lots, codes, sizes Explain reason for recall and hazard involved How recalled product is to be handled, returned, or disposed

44 Questions? Thank you! One Team, One Purpose Protecting Public Health and Preventing Foodborne Illness

45 Q&A Please type your questions in the Q&A panel. Public Health Law Series Webinar: Shared-Use Food Safety Agreements Federal Efforts to to Support Protect Public Health 45

46 Thank you for attending Please join us for this upcoming webinar: Medicaid Managed Care: Practical Guidance for Public Health Departments and Other Providers Thursday, March p.m. (ET) Learn more and register at: networkforphl.org/webinars Public Health Law Series Webinar: Food Safety Federal Efforts to Protect Public Health 46