Half of all foodborne illness outbreaks are associated with retail establishments (restaurants and delis). To better understand the environmental causes of retail-related foodborne illness outbreaks, and subsequently reduce or mitigate them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Environmental Health Specialists Network (EHS-Net) conducts studies on food preparation practices and other factors that could contribute to foodborne illness outbreaks. Speakers at this symposium will present results from four such studies and discuss them within the framework of improving food safety practices.

Presentations