Surveillance Webinar: Surveillance of Common Foodborne Illness in the U.S.-Surveillance Webinar: Surveillance of Common Foodborne Illness in the U.S. PPT

Surveillance Webinar: Surveillance of Common Foodborne Illness in the U.S. PPT

Pdf Summary

This webinar, presented by Dr. Andrew Karasick of the U.S. FDA and NIH on February 12, 2026, focuses on the surveillance of common foodborne illnesses (FBI) in the United States. The session outlines FDA-regulated food categories and major surveillance systems like the Human Foods Compliant System (HFCS) and FoodNet, which monitor adverse event reports and laboratory-confirmed infections in collaboration with state health departments.<br /><br />Key pathogens discussed include Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella species, pathogenic Escherichia coli groups, Shigella species, Norovirus, Toxoplasma gondii, Listeria monocytogenes, and toxins like aflatoxins. Clinical features, onset periods, severity, major food sources, and transmission modes are detailed. For instance, Campylobacter often arises from poultry and unpasteurized dairy, while Salmonella contamination can occur via a wide variety of foods and cross-contamination, including from pets. Norovirus is notable for easy person-to-person and environmental transmission, often linked to contaminated ready-to-eat foods.<br /><br />The presentation includes real-world regulatory responses such as voluntary recalls of contaminated products (e.g., enoki mushrooms, fruit purée pouches) and import alerts highlighting choking hazards from certain mini-cup gel and jelly candies. FDA surveillance also covers chemical contaminants like Cesium-137 in imported shrimp, emphasizing ongoing investigations and enforcement efforts to protect consumers.<br /><br />References to authoritative sources such as the FDA Bad Bug Book and CDC’s FoodNet Fast provide foundational scientific and epidemiological context. Attendees are encouraged to participate actively, complete surveys, and continue discussions in online forums. The webinar is recorded and accessible to participants, with the next session scheduled on March 5, 2026, focusing on surveillance systems and environmental health.<br /><br />Overall, the webinar provides a comprehensive overview of FDA’s surveillance infrastructure, common foodborne pathogens, outbreak responses, and safety alerts aimed at minimizing foodborne illness risks in the U.S.

Keywords

Foodborne illnesses

FDA surveillance

Human Foods Compliant System

FoodNet

Campylobacter jejuni

Salmonella

Norovirus

Food recalls

Chemical contaminants

Food safety regulations