Type 501(c)3 Location Chicago, Illinois, US Headquarters Illinois, United States Founded 1993 | Focus Humanitarian Area served US and Canada Motto Your Voice For Safe Food Number of employees 4 | |
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Method Assistance and Advocacy Slogan Your Voice For Safe Food. Similar Center for Science in the Public, National Consumers League, Government Accountability Project, International Food Informatio, Food & Water Watch | ||
Food safety heroes by stop foodborne illness
STOP Foodborne Illness, formerly known as Safe Tables Our Priority (S.T.O.P.), is a non-profit public health organization in the United States dedicated to the prevention of illness and death from foodborne pathogens. Founded following the West Coast E. coli O157:H7 outbreak of 1993 in California and the Pacific Northwest, its public health work has focused on advocating for sound public policy, building public awareness, and assisting those impacted by foodborne illness. STOP's headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois.
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History
STOP formed as a grassroots organization out of the collective grief and anger of parents of victims of a major 1993 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with Jack in the Box hamburgers. The outbreak, which resulted in the death of four children and more than 700 people falling ill, garnered nationwide media attention.
A myriad of government agencies oversee food safety—therefore there is a lack of effective communication between federal, state and local agencies. Although branches of the federal government were aware of emerging foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, they did not have a comprehensive plan to combat them nor had they adequately informed the public of their dangers. Scientists and consumer advocates had been quietly warning the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Congress, and the media that a failure to inspect meat and poultry for bacteria would lead to a food safety disaster. In response, STOP's early message to American consumers was that certain foods had the potential to present a serious risk to their health and to the lives of their family members.
Conversations with USDA and the meat industry focused on the devastation and significant illness that is caused by E. coli O157:H7. STOP pushed for warning messages to be delivered to consumers when food contamination was suspected and encountered significant resistance. However, after fighting the resistance, a victory was experienced in 1996 when STOP was invited to sit at the policymaking table, becoming a key player in facilitating the first meat and poultry inspection reforms since 1906.
The organization is focused on affecting change in food handling and processing at the beginning of the food chain. It provides a national service to victims and families needing immediate and long-term assistance.
In a 2015 Award Ceremony for Food Safety Heroes, Mike Taylor, the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Food, stated that
"STOP created the culture of food safety that absolutely has been the driver of everything that's happened since. It had an immediate effect on the meat industry" and that he is "convinced that [STOP is the] catalyst, and that change of mindset has had a transformative effect on the food system in this country.”
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Advocacy
STOP actively participates in three food safety coalitions to create and provide press releases, public service announcements, public comments, and personal stories to journalists and media outlets. On the federal and state levels, public testimony for proposed and pending legislation is provided. STOP's consumer representation is important during meetings with agencies such as the USDA, FDA, and CDC. Staff and board members interface with stakeholders regarding food safety programs, further sharing members' united concerns.
Building public awareness
E-Alerts are sent out on Facebook, Twitter, and email, which keep constituents (31,000 in database) up-to-date with news regarding recalled food and potentially harmful outbreaks. In addition to e-Alerts, a monthly eNews letter is published highlighting news and stories regarding topical food safety issues, how people have been personally impacted, STOP events, how to get one's voice heard, and other relevant information.
Webinars are an important tool as well. Educational, interactive webinars on food safety and legislative topics educate the public about preventing foodborne illness, regulations affecting food handling/preparation and getting active with advocacy. Beyond efforts to raise awareness, STOP regularly exhibits and speaks at food safety and other events including the International Food Safety Conference, the Food Safety Summit, and AARP's annual conference. Presentations to high-risk groups for children and the elderly, peer organizations, environmental health agencies and others are especially important. On STOP's website, a variety of information is available, including research on foodborne illnesses, opportunities for volunteers, and materials such as factsheets about food safety topics, consumer information, and tips to mitigate food safety risks.
Victim assistance
STOP provides peer-to-peer mentoring that matches new victims with others who have gone through similar situations to provide support and guidance.
A toll-free helpline (1-800-350-STOP) is for the public to call and ask food safety questions. The helpline also provides assistance with issues pertaining to foodborne illness. Tips on how to navigate the public health and medical system are important to overwhelmed victims and families. The organization's website provides a medium to share one's story, become an advocate for a safer food supply, and provides information advantageous to those affected by foodborne illness or seeking education on the subject.