Summary:

The FDA Food Code provides an evidence-based set of best practices for retail food safety that can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses from retail food establishments. It offers a wide array of benefits that can help establish uniformity in retail food across the country, but some jurisdictions may face challenges in adopting it. There are different ways to adopt the Food Code, showcased in this podcast episode, with examples from Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Speakers:

·       Manisha Juthani, MD: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health

·       Cynthia Costa: Supervisor, Food Protection Program, Environmental Health Drinking Water Branch/Environmental Health Section, Connecticut Department of Public Health

·       Maryam Hosseini, RS/REHS: Environmental Health Manager, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Resources:

·       The Importance of the FDA Food Code | ASTHO

·       Helping Healthy Agencies Adopt the FDA’s Updated Food Code | Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (lww.com)

·       Our History | Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

·       Environmental Health Program | Mashantucket Land Use Commission

·       Sec. 19a-36j. Food inspectors. Certification. Inspections. | Chapter 368a – Department of Public Health

·       Sec. 19a-36h. Adoption by reference of United States Food and Drug Administration’s Food Code. Regulations. | Chapter 368a – Department of Public Health

·       ASTHO Daily Newscast: Public Health Review Morning Edition