U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Releases Healthy People Report 2020

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlined a new plan for improving public health in its recently released Healthy People 2020 report. One section of the report deals specifically with food safety, setting targets for the reduction in the incidence of illness related to pathogens, such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. According to the publication Meatingplace, aimed at the meat industry, it marks the first time the HHS has set targets for the reduction of illness cases related to specific food commodities:  beef, dairy, fruits and nuts, leafy vegetables, and poultry. The report’s food safety recommendations are based on FoodNet’s foodborne illness data for 2006-08.