A National Academy of Sciences’ committee recently developed a framework for assessing the health, environmental, social and economic effects of the U.S. food system (IOM, 2015. A Framework for Assessing Effects of the Food System, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC). This analytical framework uses a systems approach for policymakers, decision-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders to evaluate the possible impacts of specific interventions in the food system. This session will describe the framework; a real case that demonstrates its ability to inform decisions that minimize unintended consequences; and potential applications of the framework for food safety professionals. A highlight of the session is the case example, which involved a multi-stakeholder group including leading animal welfare scientists, academic institutions, non-government organizations, egg suppliers, and foodservice and food retail companies. This was the first, holistic, commercial-scale study to evaluate conventional cage, enriched colony and cage-free aviary laying hen housing systems and potential impacts on food safety, the environment, hen health and well-being, worker health and safety, and food affordability. Attendees of this session will gain an appreciation for the need to consider the food system as a whole, to engage multiple stakeholders, and to expand collaboration to maximize the benefit of food safety efforts.

Presentations