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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking further action to help prevent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses associated bulb onions through the development of food safety prevention strategies.
When a foodborne illness outbreak occurs, the FDA, through its Coordinated Outbreak Response and Evaluation (CORE) Network and federal, state, local, territorial, tribal, and international public health partners, as appropriate, work together to determine what food may have caused the outbreak and how it became contaminated. After the outbreak investigation ends, the information learned can be used to contribute to a food safety prevention strategy for that food.
The FDA calls it “an affirmative, deliberate approach undertaken by the FDA and stakeholders to help limit or prevent future outbreaks.”
Here is a sampling of the strategy for onions:
Based on review of the outbreak investigational findings, historical data, and engagements with industry and other stakeholders, the agency has identified several measures that can be taken to reduce future incidences of foodborne illness related to bulb onions, including:
- Engaging domestic and foreign industry and government partners to promote a broad understanding of the outbreak investigation findings, applicable Produce Safety Rule requirements, and the importance of root cause analysis after outbreaks.
- Prioritizing inspections of bulb onion farms in the United States and Mexico that are covered by the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule.
- Identifying and assessing practices and conditions associated with onion curing.
- Supporting research efforts to better understand bulb onion production practices, including the impact of different soil conditions and curing practices on the safety of bulb onions.
- Supporting industry-led efforts to develop and implement best practices for bulb onion production.
The agency has also identified the following additional actions specific to imported bulb onions:
- Prioritizing Foreign Supplier Verification Program inspections of bulb onion importers to ensure that onion importers are verifying that foreign suppliers follow processes and procedures that provide the same level of public health protection as U.S. food safety requirements.
- Increasing strategic and targeted sample collection and testing of imported bulb onions from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
- Continuing to collaborate with Mexican competent authorities through the established Food Safety Partnership to help ensure the safe production of bulb onions in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
Click Here to Read the Full Bulb Onion Strategy
SOURCE: NOA
