Food Safety Program - Essay Example

Report on food safety program Introduction The main aim of agriculture department is to develop and execute a number of policies on behalf of the federal government in areas of agriculture, subsistence and commercial farming and forestry. The main objective of this department is to meet the need of all farmers and ranchers in all states. In addition, the department promotes agricultural trade both locally and internationally, develops and monitors programs on food safety as well as protecting natural resources in the country. Food safety has become an issue of concern to most people and households in the country due to the incorporation of the latest technology in farming and processing most farm produce. Hence, the department has decided to come up with a program whose main aim is to educate members of the public on the importance of food safety. How the program fits in the official mission of my department This program fits in the mission of my department in a number of ways. The main goal of my department is to protect all consumers who purchase fresh of processed farm produce in various outlets in the country. Hence, providing them with all relevant information on what they are supposed to do or check while making their purchases is very important. Furthermore, my department ensures that all products in the market are inspected and labeled before being offered for sale (Lancet 1). In relation to this, food borne illnesses cases have greatly increased in this 21st century (Food Drug and Administration 1). Therefore, my department has come up with various policies that aim at combating this threat. Reasons why my department is suited to run this program Firstly, it is the role of the agriculture department to ensure that consumers of both fresh and processed farm produce are protected. This is the reason why my department ensures that all products are inspected and labeled. Secondly, the department is also supposed to play the role of educating all consumers on the importance of food safety in their households. From a recent study, most households are affected by food borne illness. Most of them are not ignorant, but they lack they required information on what they are supposed to do or check when making their purchases. Hence, creating awareness on this issue will help to combat this threat. New or existing program This new program aims at creating awareness in all states on issues related to food safety. The department plays it role by ensuring that all products offered for sale are inspected and labeled properly. However, most consumers lack information on issues that come up with issues of food poisoning. Therefore, my department wants to enhance public education as well as outreach reach programs to create total awareness to all consumers. In relation to this, some resources need to be allocated in this in the budget of the next fiscal year. Problems that the program solves Protecting the health of the members of the public The department ensures that all products such as raw beef offered for sale in the market is properly inspected. A pathogen by the name Eshcherichia coli is believed to be the most common that causes poisoning in united states (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1). Hence, this program will ensure that the authorities concerned do their job accordingly. This can be achieved by ensuring by educating them on the recent pathogens which thrive under certain conditions. This should also be passed to cattle and poultry farmers in all states to ensure that they maintain cleanliness in rearing their animals. Prevention of food borne illness The program also aims at implementing the ‘test and hold’ policy, which was passed into law in 2012. All facilities are supposed to perform a microbiology testing before releasing any product for sale in the market. Implementation of this policy is believed to reduce the cases of unsafe products in the food market. This will be enhanced through massive public education and outreach programs in all states. The federal government, private sector and non-governmental organizations are expected to play a major role in ensuring that this program is successful. The department also aims to invest in the latest and innovative technology. This includes websites and blogs where different consumers can report and give feedback on issues concerning food safety. Research programs in food safety will also play an important role in ensuring the well-being of our citizens. How significant is the problem Food borne illness has become a major threat to most consumers in the country. Hence, my department has come up with this program to ensure this has been addressed. Many cases of food poisoning have been reported. This is due to laxity of the concerned authority that is not doing their job well. Moreover, most consumers lack information in what to do on such occasions. Evidence E.Coli that is a pathogen has been found in contaminated raw beef. As reported by Burke Jessica, a consignment of mince was exposed that was infected in South Carolina (Burke 1). The mince was suspected to have originated from Australia. This clearly indicates that beef is not always properly inspected before being released in the market. Therefore, the department has to set up standards that include microbiology testing of all products before they are released into the market. Estimated fiscal impact of the program and how it fits in my department’s budget This program is estimated to require funding of about $1 billion to conduct public health education and outreach programs in all states. Training on food safety and other issues will be paramount as outlined in studies (Kaml et al 38-39). This will be funded from the finances allocated to this department during the next fiscal year budget. However, I would like to seek additional funding for this program in order to achieve the set goals and impact within the shortest time possible. Why the program should be important to the president This program is important to the president because it concerns the well-being of all citizens in the country. A healthy nation results into both social and economical growth in all sectors. When food safety is enhanced, there will be few issues of food poisoning hence the fewer expenses by the department of health. Work Cited Burke, Jessica. “Meaty Issues.” Ebscohost.com. Web. 23 September 2013. < http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f30a9377-95b2-401e-b627-7a87efdbca49%40sessionmgr4002&vid=0&hid=4113>. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “E. Coli Infection and Food Safety.” Cdc.gov. Web. 23 September 2013. < http://www.cdc.gov/features/ecoliinfection/>. Food and Drug Administration. “Why You Should Care About Regulatory Science.” Fda.gov. Web. 23 September 2013. . Kaml, Craig, Fogarty, Kieran, Wojtala, Gerald, Dardick, William, Bateson, Allan and Bradsher, Julia. The Development of a Standards-Based National Curriculum Framework for Regulatory Food Safety Training in the United States. Journal of Environmental Health 76.2 (2013): 38-42. Print. Lancet. "Food Safety Shake-Up Needed in the USA." The Lancet 375.9732 (2010): 2122. Print. Read More