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File: 970207_aadch_011.txtFOODBORNE ILLNESS OUTBREAKS AND PREVENTION EFFORTS REPORTED BY USCENTAF MEDICAL TREATMENT PACILITIES DURING OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM I. INTRODUCTION. This document describes the food safety program conducted by USCENTAF Environmental Health personnel, summarizes some of the enforcement problems encountered, describes local food sources and food service facilities used by USCENTAF operating bases, summarizes foodborne illness outbreaks experienced, and makes recommendations for future deployments. II. FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM. 1. Medical Personnel: Each USCENTAF main operating base included medical support by one or more Squadron Medical Elements (SME), an Air Transportable Hospital (ATM) or both. Each ATH had one Environmental Health Officer (AFSC 9296) and two EH technicians (AFSC 908X0) assigned. At many locations, additional EH technicians (assigned to ATH patient decontamination teams) were also available. After August 1990, one EH technician was also assigned to support those SMEs not colocated with an ATH. These EH personnel managed the medical aspects of food safety programs at USCENTAF bases. An Environmental Health Officer was also assigned to HQ USCENTAF/SG. 2. The U.S. Army deployed a Veterinary food source inspection team to southwest Asia in September 1990. This team performed inspections of local food processors and published a list of those found acceptable. 3. Medical food safety objectives of Environmental Health were to: a. Ensure that only wholesome foods were used on base by verifying that all foods were processed in facilities that met minimum sanitary standards. This task involved inspecting the facilities of unlisted local food processors and (after the U.S. Army list became available) of matching food sources against published approved source lists. b. Prevent the serving of contaminated food in on-base food facilities. This task involved inspections to identify and recommend alternatives to unsound food handling and personal hygiene practices. c. Ensure the present and future usefulness of MREs by inspectinq their condition and evaluating storage facilities. 1
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