ABSTRACT
Consumers' interests are often reflected through their complaints and/or by information they are seeking. A Cooperative Extension specialist from Purdue University called the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) to inquire about flour turning a bright yellow when water or liquid was added. A homemaker had also called with this question, and the local county agent observed that the flour turned bright yellow when water was added. Consumers also contact the FDA for information on the types of problems they perceive in the marketplace. Consumers seek food safety information from the FDA and the Cooperative Extension Service after storms, floods, tornadoes, and whenever electric service has been interrupted. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, provide information to assess the need for food safety and determine which etiologic agents should be selected as topics for an educational program. To determine where to target education programs, the FDA must look at where foodborne outbreaks occur.
