Increasing Public Awareness Of Food Safety

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In order to survive, people must eat. Unfortunately, the food that is needed for survival is not always available, safe, or nutritious for individuals, families, consumers and communities. The implementation of public policy is essential to alleviate some of the problems associated with the nation’s food supply. By gaining awareness of public policy issues that impact society and making change happen through the formation of public policy, FCS professionals in the field of nutrition can improve the health and well-being of the nation.

When FCS professionals gain an awareness of public policies related to their professional specialization, the overall message or underlying purpose of the profession is better received by the public. In 1917, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) was founded in the midst of the First World War with the intentions of “helping the government conserve food and improve public health and nutrition” (Smith & Patrick, 2008). Throughout the years following WWI, the ADA remained involved in the public issues surrounding food and nutrition. According to Smith & Patrick (2008), the ADA worked with government officials to ensure food security during the Great Depression; in World War II, the ADA sent forth dietitians as Public Health Service officers to make certain American soldiers were being properly nourished. The ADA’s involvement in causes that affect so many reinforces their purpose and credibility. Over the past year, the ADA has fervently lobbied for preventative nutrition care to be included in the health care reform bill. From its modest beginnings to present time, the ADA continues to seek out public policy issues and educates its members so that a clear, cohesive message can be presente...

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...ssionals listen to the public and advocate the needs of individuals, families, consumers and communities. Their commitment to the public will not only help to improve the lives of this current generation but also the lives of future generations.

Works Cited
Matthews, D. (2004). Changing Communities Through Public Engagement. In C. Anderson’s Family and Community Policy: Strategies for Civic Engagement (19-29). American Home Economics Association.

Smith, J., & Patrick, S. (2008). Growing on the Roots of ADA's Public Policy. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 108(12), 1988-1990.

Smith, R. (2009). ADA and Health Reform. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(7), 1157-1159.

Wansink, B. (2006). Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food and Nutrition Misinformation. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 106(4), 601-607.

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