The origins of environmental health are rooted in the protection of the food supply. Even in the United States we continue to experience water and food borne disease outbreaks. In much of the less industrialized world, environmental contamination of food and water results in many diseases that result in death.

The environmental health program considers food protection in many of its courses. Of particular note is Public Health and Sanitation (ENVH 301). In this course we evaluate public health in the community, look at institutional inspection techniques, communicable disease control, and solid waste disposal. Also of particular importance is Environmental Epidemiology (ENVH 447) in which our discussion related disease to environmental disruptions often links to food protection practices.

Job opportunities protecting the food supply are plentiful. For example, local health departments need environmental health specialists, or sanitarians. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control are examples of federal agencies that have major responsibilities for ensuring the quality of food, water and other environmental media that can lead to disease. Private industry also regularly used environmental health professionals. For example, large restaurant and grocery chains need to ensure the quality and safety of their products.

Listed below are a few resources that contain additional information about food protection.

The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) is part of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It works to prevent illness, disability, and death from interactions between people and the environment. NCEH is especially committed to safeguarding the health of populations that are particularly vulnerable to certain environmental hazards—children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

NSF International is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, that provides standards development, product certification, education, and risk-management for public health and safety.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This organization works to ensure that consumers have the safest possible food supply.

The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is responsible for promoting and protecting the public's health by ensuring that the nation's food supply is safe, sanitary, wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic products are safe and properly labeled.

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is a public-private partnership created to reduce the incidence of food borne illness by educating Americans about safe food handling practices. It is a coalition of industry, government and consumer groups and provides a host of useful educational materials.

Gateway to Government Food Safety Information provides links to selected government food safety-related information. This web site is part of the National Food Safety Information Network. and is an excellent place to obtain additional sources of information.