Food and Environmental Sampling Kits

1. Food and Environmental Sampling Kits Katie Garman, MPH Lori LeMaster

2. Why are the kits needed? • Collect food/environmental samples without risk of contamination • Food/environmental samples are sent to the Tennessee State Public Health Lab (SPHL) appropriately

3. Keep in mind….. • Epi and SPHL must be consulted first before food/environmental samples are tested • Only outbreak-associated samples will be tested • More than 2 people from different households • Case linked to a multi-state outbreak

4. Kit contents…. • Cooler • Insulated mailing boxes • Sterile spoons • Ice packs • Sampling bags • Swabs • Sampling cups • Gloves • Food/Environmental Sampling Form (NEW!)

5. Food/Environmental Sampling Form---DRAFT • The form will capture • Outbreak ID • Contact information of the collector • Organism to test for • Date of collection • Sample type/lot number • Temperature • Chain of custody

6. Just in Time Training • Review • Kits sent to regional/metro offices • 1-2 per office • New Food/Environmental Sample Testing Form • Collection Instructions • How much to collect • What information needs to be recorded • How to send samples to SPHL

7. Questions?

8. National Voluntary Environmental Assessment Information System (NVEAIS) • Purpose: • To systematically collect, analyze, interpret and disseminate environmental data from foodborne illness outbreak investigations • Information collected will allow programs to: • Take food safety actions and assess effectiveness, • Develop or modify program policies or regulations based on sound epidemiologic data,

9. National Voluntary Environmental Assessment Information System (NVEAIS) • Train environmental health specialists about environmental causes related to foodborne illness outbreaks, and • Help prevent foodborne illness outbreaks associated with restaurants and other food venues (such as banquet facilities, schools, and other institutions).

10. Why use NVEAIS? • To help CDC public health determine and understand the primary causes of outbreaks • Users will submit data about foodborne illness outbreaks, which will improve response to and prevention of future outbreaks • Analysis of the data will help to determine how and why outbreaks occur. CDC will use data from NVEAIS to • Recommend actions for food safety programs • Share findings with food safety programs, food industries, and academia • The recommendations and sharing of findings should increase effectiveness of food safety programs, increase food safety, and decrease foodborne illness

11. When is NVEAIS Used? • When a foodborne (FB) outbreak is suspected • TN reports ~ 25 FB outbreaks per year • Important to collaborate with Epi to determine transmission mode • Not always black and white

12. Is it Foodborne?? • Susan’s highschool reunion is catered by Stinky’s BBQ shop. 25 people become ill with N/V/D 18-24 hrs after the reunion. EH interviews of Stinky and his staff reveal that three of Stinky’s foodhandlers had been ill with N/V/D one day prior to the reunion. The epi study did not reveal any significant food items.

13. Is it Foodborne?? • Amanda’s family reunion was held at Ingram’s Bar and Grille. 15 people became ill with N/V/D 18-24 hrs after the reunion. EH conducts and inspection and does not find any critical violations or ill foodhandlers. Epi interviews revealed Amanda’s 8 year old nephew was ill with N/V/D the day before the event. The epi study did not reveal any significant food items.

14. NVEAIS Needs? • Training? • Data entry support? • Other?

15. Thank you!!