Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

In a foodborne illness outbreak investigation with no implicated food, what is the recommended step?

1. Focus on a single food item

2. Conduct a general risk-based assessment

3. Only interview the sick individuals

4. Start testing food samples immediately

The correct answer is: Conduct a general risk-based assessment

In an outbreak investigation where no specific food item has been identified as the source of illness, conducting a general risk-based assessment is crucial. This approach allows investigators to evaluate the broader environment and practices that could contribute to foodborne illness. It involves assessing potential risk factors across food preparation, handling, and distribution practices, as well as environmental conditions. By looking at the entire system rather than just a single food item, investigators can identify patterns or common practices that may have led to the outbreak, which can guide further investigation and mitigation efforts. A focus on a single food item would not be effective when there is no implicated food, as it restricts the investigation to a narrow scope without exploring other possibilities. Interviewing only the sick individuals would miss valuable insights from healthy individuals or those who consumed the food without becoming ill, potentially overlooking broader patterns or sources of contamination. Immediate testing of food samples is often premature in the absence of a specific item to test, and resources might be better utilized in gathering information and assessing risk factors first to direct where testing should take place later. The general risk-based assessment thus allows for a comprehensive understanding of potential causes before narrowing the focus.