Meat Groups Set E. Coli Surveillance/Prevention Briefing
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF) and the National Meat Association (NMA) will host an E. coli O157:H7 surveillance and prevention briefing Jan. 23 at the Doubletree Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va. The one-day event will assemble leading experts to discuss the state of the science in pathogen prevention and to identify new strategies for ensuring product safety and optimal public health.
"The beef industry has made enormous food safety progress by confronting the challenge of E. coli O157:H7 in fresh beef directly," said AMI Foundation President James H. Hodges. "Our careful monitoring of food safety trends suggests that it's time to reassess so we can sustain our record of progress. That is what we aim to do with this important briefing."
Since 2000, the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef has been cut in half. However, a slight increase in the incidence of the pathogen in ground beef in late 2007 has prompted the industry, scientists and regulators to reassess strategies in the fight against the pathogen.
The briefing will feature talks on public health surveillance; import and export issues; industry best practices for controlling the pathogen throughout the supply chain; research into interventions to reduce and eliminate the pathogen; regulatory initiatives and consumer knowledge and perceptions about E. coli O157:H7, beef handling and beef safety.
A number of speakers have been invited to attending, including Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chair of the House Food Safety Caucus, Lonnie King from the Centers for Disease Control, and Richard Raymond, under secretary for food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Registration cost for AMI/NMA members, academics and government officials is $250 and $325 for non-members. For more information, visit meatami.com or call 202-587-4241.
"The beef industry has made enormous food safety progress by confronting the challenge of E. coli O157:H7 in fresh beef directly," said AMI Foundation President James H. Hodges. "Our careful monitoring of food safety trends suggests that it's time to reassess so we can sustain our record of progress. That is what we aim to do with this important briefing."
Since 2000, the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef has been cut in half. However, a slight increase in the incidence of the pathogen in ground beef in late 2007 has prompted the industry, scientists and regulators to reassess strategies in the fight against the pathogen.
The briefing will feature talks on public health surveillance; import and export issues; industry best practices for controlling the pathogen throughout the supply chain; research into interventions to reduce and eliminate the pathogen; regulatory initiatives and consumer knowledge and perceptions about E. coli O157:H7, beef handling and beef safety.
A number of speakers have been invited to attending, including Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), chair of the House Food Safety Caucus, Lonnie King from the Centers for Disease Control, and Richard Raymond, under secretary for food safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Registration cost for AMI/NMA members, academics and government officials is $250 and $325 for non-members. For more information, visit meatami.com or call 202-587-4241.