Preventing food-borne illnesses is an important part of public health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a recent report. It is the first report of its kind covering its work submitted by the Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation Network.
CORE’s mission is “to find, stop and aid in the prevention of food-borne illness and outbreaks in collaboration with the CDC, state and local partners.” They provide publicly available information about ongoing food borne illnesses and adverse event investigations. The products that this organization has investigated over the last three years include produce, nuts and seed, fish, dairy and multi-ingredient foods.
The FDA took action on several investigations. The most noteworthy was the contamination of infant formula. This necessary recall led to a national shortage of formula. Along with investigation and prevention strategies to avoid food-borne illnesses the FDA issues advisories, recalls and alerts.
