LESSON 5
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO FOODBORNE DISEASE:
RECEIPT OF FOOD SHIPMENTS
5-1.
INTRODUCTION
It is important that safe foods be used in a full-service facility. If contaminated
foods arrive at a facility, all other precautions are worthless. Receipt of safe food items
is the first defense against foodborne illness.
5-2.
AGENCIES INSPECTING FOODS BEFORE ARRIVAL AT A FOOD FACILITY
a. The Veterinary Corps is responsible for inspecting foods before they are
purchased by the Army. The Veterinary Corps ensures that quality specifications for
certain foods are met. For example, hamburger is checked to make sure that the fat
content does not exceed specified limits. Fruits and vegetables are inspected to ensure
that set quality standards are met.
b. The Veterinary Corps also checks the sanitation of food processing plants.
Food processing companies desiring to sell food to the Army must maintain high levels
of sanitation. These inspections help to prevent contamination of foods during
processing.
c. There are other Federal agencies that inspect Army food supplies. These are
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA). Meats that have been inspected and approved will be stamped "inspected and
passed."
d. The first precaution, then, that a full-service food facility must follow is to
obtain food from approved sources; that is, from sources whose food items have been
inspected and approved by government and military agencies.
5-3.
a. There are three basic ways by which food can become contaminated before
arrival at a food service facility:
(1) During transport to the full-service food facility.
(2) From pesticides.
(3) From natural contamination.
MD0181
5-2