Government/Legislative Focus Group Session
Focus group coordinator: Stephanie Smith, Congressional Fellow
(Note: This group consisted almost exclusively of government scientists.)
1. When it comes to food safety, what do you worry about?
The group shared numerous concerns, many of which can be characterized as follows: accuracy of available information; influence of politics or interest groups; lack of communication among agencies, within agencies, with public; lack of education of consumers, of food handlers; emerging pathogens and antibiotic resistance.
Other concerns related to: adequate identification of the problems; efficacy determinations of the interventions; and the unrealistic expectation of "zero risk." Also, will HACCP work and will the National Food Safety Initiative last?
2. Given those concerns, what kind of information do you need to make food safety decisions?
The range of kinds of information was vast, but relatively specific. Some examples are: better models (animal, computer, numerical) and better data (epidemiological, analytical, toxicity exposure). Other responses included: foreign agriculture practices, processing changes and effects, interactions between microbial and chemical hazards.
There was the added concern regarding the "quality" of the information transmitted through the clearinghouse. Could it be peer-reviewed or somehow validated?
3. Where do you currently get your food safety information and what do you do when you cannot find it?
The general categories of the responses expressed were: the internet, e.g. MedLine, NIH database; a library, e.g. scientific journals; or people, including other scientists, health care practitioners, industry, commercial laboratories. One person mentioned the FSI office.
4. Given all the different ways that information can be delivered to you, how would you like to get food safety information? Which would you most likely use?
The favored response was electronically to allow the recipient to "cut and paste." This could be via website, e-mail, or links to other government agency databases. The group also recognized the value of hard copies, such as journals and pamphlets, as well as face-to-face scientific meetings.
5. How can we best keep you involved in the development of the food safety risk assessment clearinghouse?
Updates via a website was the overwhelming favorite means. However, for those without internet access, a quarterly mailing would be adequate.
