Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113; FAX: (202) 690-0460
Sarah Tarshis

FSIS To Hold Public Meeting On Use Of Epidemiology To Protect Public Health

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2003—The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a public meeting on April 29, 2003, to discuss the use of epidemiological data, principles, techniques and other tools to help it achieve its public health goals.

This meeting is the second in a series of meetings that will aid FSIS in developing a framework for how the agency will conduct public health investigations and integrate the scientific principles of applied epidemiology into its food safety activities.  The meeting will serve as an open forum to discuss the Agency’s approach to investigations of foodborne illnesses associated with meat, poultry and egg products and the progress the Agency has made using epidemiology as a basis for regulatory decision making. 

Agenda items will include: A description of how FSIS responds to epidemiological evidence; how the agency uses that evidence; how the agency conducts food safety investigations; and how regulatory actions are initiated. 

The public meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday April 29, at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, D.C. Registration is suggested but not required.  To register, please contact Sheila Johnson at (202) 690-6498 or sheila.johnson@fsis.usda.gov.  Persons requiring a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations should notify Sheila Johnson at the above number.

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NOTE: Access news releases and other information at the FSIS web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov.

For Further Information, Contact:
FSIS Congressional and Public Affairs Staff
Phone: (202) 720-9113
Fax: (202) 690-0460

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