Food safety issues: a summary report of a panel session addressing pre- and post-harvest strategies to improve public health.
The paper presents a summary of a panel presentation by animal scientists and public health veterinarians on food safety methods to improve public health of the public consuming beef and poultry. Pre-harvest methods discussed include vaccination to decrease shedding of Esherichia coli O157:H7, direct-fed microbials (DFMs), calving methods, and responsible use of antimicrobials. Post-harvest methods discussed include increased sampling and use of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) methods, test-and-hold of meat products prior to release for public consumption, development of attainment categories, the use of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genotyping and serotyping, and an 11-step surveillance program. The public health concern and financial consequences of contamination with E. coli O157:H7 is discussed. A "carrot and stick" approach for both producers and processors to increase vaccination and product testing is recommended.
Kirkhorn
Steven R
SR
National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Occupational Health Department, Marshfield, WI 5444, USA. kirkhorn.steven@mcrf.mfldclin.edu
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003663:Decision Trees; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008460:Meat / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D011786:Quality Control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary