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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Browse FDA-TRACK Program Areas or Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Index

Establishment of a Parasitology Program to Align with the Scientific and Operational Activities of FDA/CFSAN’s mission

Description: OARSA is developing a Parasitology Program with the goal of applying science to keep food safe from foodborne parasitic contamination. This program will enable a broad spectrum of activities to be conducted as well as to build capacity and capabilities to address regulatory issues in foodborne parasitology. These efforts will improve FDA’s scientific knowledge in their ability to detect and stop parasitic health threats at the international, state, and local levels thus increasing awareness of foodborne parasites as a significant public health issue.

Milestone DescriptionMilestone DateMilestone StatusMilestone Completion Date
A. Improve detection and identification of C. cayetanensis and strengthen surveillance to address regulatory issues related to contamination of food items
i. Development and validation of improved sample preparation methods for detection of C. cayetanensis in water and a variety of produce matrices in to enhance FDA's capabilities to investigate outbreak and perform surveillance. 12/1/2017
(6/1/2019)
 Completed 6/15/2019
ii. Development of strategies in collaboration with CORE to improve FDA's ability to conduct environmental assessments by the use of updated laboratory methods and sampling protocols. 12/1/2017
 Completed 12/1/2017
iii. Whole genome sequencing of C. cayetanensis to identify genetic markers to develop molecular epidemiological methods for detection and tracing of C. cayetanensis.
Ongoing
B. Establish online resources to share scientific data and guidelines to address regulatory issues associated with foodborne parasites
i. Development of an electronic repository of genetic sequences for foodborne parasites in collaboration with sister agencies such as CDC and USDA.
Ongoing
ii. Continue adding genetic sequences to Cyclospora electronic repository for foodborne parasites in collaboration with sister agencies such as CDC and USDA.
Ongoing

Key Projects Legend

Milestone StatusDefinition
Not Yet StartedWork for specific milestone has not yet been started.
CompletedMilestone and/or overall project is completed.
On TrackMilestone - On track for completion by milestone deadline. Quarter status - Project is on track for completion based on overall milestone status.
On HoldMilestone - On hold, but deadline for completion has not passed. Quarter status - Project is on hold, based on overall milestone status.
DelayedMilestone - Delayed as it has not been completed and deadline has passed. Quarter status - Project is delayed based on overall milestone status.

Glossary

Note: The data provided on this website is produced on an ongoing basis for performance management purposes and is subject to change due to updates of preliminary estimates, corrections, or other reasons. In addition, FDA may change the type or amount of data provided on this website at any time. Information marked as "Completed" may include measures and/or key projects for which activities are ongoing but no longer tracked as part of FDA-TRACK.

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