Check back regularly for new questions and answers on key food safety issues.
- What do veterinarians have to do with food safety?
- How do sick animals affect the food supply?
- What is FARAD?
- What does FARAD have to do with Food Safety?
- What sort of federal laws regulate or ensure safe food?
- Is there a list I can go to and see what’s been recalled?
- Is all food that’s recalled bad?
- How do I tell from a package of hamburger or a can of chili if it’s on a recall list?
- What is the AVMA?
What do veterinarians have to do with food safety?
Veterinarians play critical roles in food safety—from farm to fork. They protect the health of the animals on the farm by vaccinating, examining, diagnosing and treating them when they are ill. Veterinarians also provide guidance on nutrition, disease prevention, management, and other health-related issues to farmers and producers. Veterinarians examine animals before slaughter and examine the carcasses during processing to ensure that diseased animals do not enter the food supply.
But it doesn’t end there. Veterinarians are on the front lines when it comes to surveillance for foreign animal diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, that could severely impact animal health and the nation’s food supply. Veterinarians study zoonotic diseases -- animal diseases that can be spread to people. And research veterinarians study diseases—how they are spread, how they develop, and how they can be prevented—to figure out how to protect the health of animals and humans.
How do sick animals affect the food supply?
Sick animals can harbor bacteria and other pathogens that can be transmitted to people who eat the meat or drink the milk.
What is FARAD?
For over 25 years, the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD), located at three universities around the country, is the primary source of scientifically based recommendations regarding safe withdrawal intervals after extra-label drug use. Also, FARAD also is the primary source of residue mitigation information, which is needed when food animals are exposed to environmental contaminants. It’s used by veterinarians, farmers, producers and others to help ensure that our food supply is safe to eat.
FARAD has been operating without federal appropriations since FY2007. There is only enough federal funding to last through the end of September 2008. Without permanent multi-year funding ($2.5M/yr for 3-5 years), FARAD will be forced to discontinue all activities at that time. The AVMA is seeking a permanent solution to this funding crisis, to ensure that FARAD will remain a viable program in the future.
What does FARAD have to do with Food Safety?
The professionals responsible for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) develop and maintain this unique food safety databank to provide veterinarians, livestock producers, and state and federal regulatory and extension specialists' precise information about the time delay needed to avoid both animal drug residue and environmental contaminates in our meat, milk and eggs.
What sort of federal laws regulate or ensure safe food?
The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 and the Federal Meat Inspection Act provide animal welfare and food safety guidance to the slaughtering of livestock.
FDA also has authority over products and food other than meat, milk, and eggs. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act also provides guidance and regulatory oversight for food safety and the FDA.
Is there a list I can go to and see what’s been recalled?
Food recalls are posted on the US Food and Drug Administration’s Web page as well as on the US Department of Agriculture’s Web page.
Is all food that’s recalled bad?
No. If a portion of a certain lot, production date, or shipment has been recalled, the recall is issued for the entire lot, date, or shipment in order to protect the public. However, you should discard and/or not use any food that has been recalled.
How do I tell from a package of hamburger or a can of chili if it’s on a recall list?
The package itself will not include a statement that the food has been recalled, but you can look at the UPC code and check it against the recall lists. The UPC code is the 12 digit barcode used to track items.
What is the AVMA?
The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 76,000 member veterinarians engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care, and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies, and activities.
