Overview of Regulatory Agencies

Question 1

What are the 4 roles of the CDC?

Answer 1

1. Investigates food borne illness outbreaks
2. Maintains a nationwide system of food borne illness disease monitoring
3. Develops and advocates public health policies
4. Conducts research to help prevent food borne illnesses

Question 2

What does FSIS stand for?

Answer 2

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Question 3

What does FSIS oversee?

Answer 3

-Domestic & Imported meat and poultry products such as stews, pizzas, and frozen foods

-Processed egg products (generally liquid, frozen, dried, pasteurized egg products)

Question 4

List at least 3 Food safety roles of the FDA

Answer 4

-Collects and analyzes samples: physical, chemical, and microbial contamination
-inspects food production establishments and food warehouses
-Reviews safety of food and color additives

Question 5

What does EPA stand for?

Answer 5

Environmental Protection Agency

Question 6

What does EPA oversee?

Answer 6

• Drinking water
• Pesticide safety

Question 7

List the 3 roles of the EPA

Answer 7

-Establishes safe drinking water standards
-Regulates toxic substances and wastes to prevent their entry into the environment and food chain
-Determines safety of new pesticides

Question 8

List at least 3 roles of FSIS

Answer 8

-Inspecting meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants
-Collecting and analyzing samples of food products
-Educating industry and consumers on safe food handling practices

Question 9

What does the US Custom service oversee?

Answer 9

Imported foods

Question 10

What if the food safety role of the US custom service ?

Answer 10

Works with federal regulatory agencies to ensure that all goods entering and exiting the US do so according to US laws and regulations

Question 11

What are the 2 food safety roles of the US Department of Justice

Answer 11

-Prosecutes companies and individuals suspected of violating food safety laws
-Through US Marshal Service, seize unsafe food products not yet in the marketplace, as ordered by courts

Question 12

What is the role of the Federal Trade Commission?

Answer 12

Enforces a variety of laws that protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices, including deceptive advertising

Question 13

What does the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau oversee?

Answer 13

Oversees alcohol beverages except wine beverages containing less than 7% alcohol

Question 14

What are the two food safety roles of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau?

Answer 14

• enforces food safety laws governing alcoholic beverages
• investigates adulteration alcohol products, sometimes with help from the FDA

Question 15

What does the National Marine Fisheries Service oversee?

Answer 15

Oversees fish and seafood products (through a voluntary fee-for-service system)

Question 16

What is the role of the National Marine Fisheries Service?

Answer 16

The seafood inspection program inspects and certifies fishing vessels, seafood processing plants, and retail facilities for federal sanitation standards

Question 17

3 interesting facts found on the EPA website

Answer 17

1. 10% of people in the US rely on water from private wells. Private wells are not regulated under the “Safe Drinking Water Act” so those people must take extra precautions to ensure their water is safe.
2. EPA sets limits on over 90 contaminants in drinking water
3. The average indoor water use in a typical family can be as much as 70 gallons per individual, per day

Question 18

3 interesting for Pulse Net

Answer 18

1. More than 1 billion pounds of contaminated food has been recalled
2. Each year, around 1500 clusters of diseases are identified by state and local health agencies
3. The largest national database is Salmonella