ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
• Technical assistance on outbreak investiga- tion from CDC subject matter experts • Online and in-person training on outbreak investigation and reporting data to NEARS • Annual reports summarizing NEARS data for each individual participating program • A data management system for data from outbreak investigations • Opportunities to learn from more experi- enced NEARS users • Opportunities to collaborate to analyze and publish NEARS data CDC has released several sets of find- ings and recommendations for improved food safety based on analysis of environ- mental assessment data reported to NEARS. For example, one set identified the top root causes of Clostridium perfringens outbreaks and another found that strong food safety policies and training mitigated the size of norovirus outbreaks. CDC will continue to use NEARS data to inform foodborne out- break prevention. Summary Data from environmental assessments on the root causes of foodborne outbreaks are valu- able to stopping and preventing such out- breaks. CDC provides resources to assist envi- ronmental health investigators in conducting
Quick Links
• Environmental Assessment Training Series (EATS): www.cdc.gov/restaurant-food- safety/php/training/eats.html • Identifying Root Causes of Outbreaks: www.cdc.gov/restaurant-food-safety/php/ investigations/root-causes.html • Finding Contributing Factors to Outbreaks: www.cdc.gov/restaurant-food-safety/php/ training/from-inspector-to-investigator.html • Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence: www.foodsafetycoe.org • National Environmental Assessment Reporting System: www.cdc.gov/restaurant- food-safety/php/investigations/nears.html • Summaries of Our Research Findings on Outbreak Investigations: www.cdc.gov/ restaurant-food-safety/php/data-research/investigation-summaries.html • Summaries of Our Research Findings on Restaurant Practices: www.cdc.gov/ restaurant-food-safety/php/data-research/practice-summaries-plain-language.html
these assessments. CDC also manages a sur- veillance system that captures environmental assessment data of outbreak investigations from health departments. CDC encourages all environmental health programs to take advantage of these resources. Corresponding Author: Laura Brown, Behav- ioral Scientist, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice (DEHSP), Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services
Branch (WFEHSB), Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention. Email: lrg0@cdc.gov Reference Dewey-Mattia, D., Manikonda, K., Hall, A.J., Wise, M.E., & Crowe, S.J. (2018). Surveillance for foodborne disease out- breaks—United States, 2009–2015. Mor- bidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Surveil- lance Summaries , 67 (10), 1–11. https://doi. org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6710a1
Did You Know?
NEHA members have exclusive access to our online Community platform of environmental health professionals from around the country and the world. Make career connections, ask questions, and discuss solutions—all from the comfort of your desk or phone. Log in at https://community.neha.org/community.
The food industry moves fast. The Certified Professional–Food Safety (CP-FS) credential keeps you up-to-date with the rapidly changing food industry and tells your community that you know the science and practice to keep them safe. Learn the requirements: neha.org/cpfs-credential
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Volume 87 • Number 2
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