The Roles of the FDA, CDC and PSR in Food Safety

Although the U.S. food supply is generally considered safe, foodborne illness remains a common and costly public health problem. Being able to efficiently trace products linked to a foodborne illness outbreak can help government agencies and those who produce and sell food identify the source of the product and where contamination might have occurred. The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of more than 80 percent of the U.S. food supply. Chapters 1-4 will highlight not only FDA’s decision making with regards to food safety, but also the impact those decisions have on industry and the overall food supply. The CDC provides the vital link between foodborne illness and the food safety systems of government agencies and food producers. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) directs CDC to enhance foodborne illness surveillance systems through improved collection, analysis, and reporting of foodborne illness data. Chapters 5-6 review the CDC’s role in food safety. The Produce Safety Rule (PSR) establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. Chapter 7 discusses key provisions of the PSR and implementation of the rule.