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CLASSNOTES

Protecting your plate
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Jennifer Kennedy (Stanley). BVetMed 2004

I of veterinary science and public health food inspectors on the inspection line
am currently serving as a Veterinary
to ensure compliance with federal
Medical Officer with the Food Safety
– and it offers a unique opportunity to
have an impact on a broad scale. We are
regulations and we work closely with
and Inspection Service (FSIS) within
the United States Department of
good understanding between industry
Agriculture (USDA), a position I have part of a team that helps ensure trust in our assigned establishments to form a
the food supply and is on the frontline
held for the past 14 years. of preventing foodborne illnesses, by and government.
combining veterinary expertise with
Prior to my position with the USDA, Lastly, we also have a role in the
I was an associate small animal clinician public health initiatives. import and export of meat, poultry
in the New York City area. I now live Our job responsibilities are wide-ranging. and egg products to ensure that only
and work in the Catskills/Hudson Valley One of our primary duties is to conduct those products that conform to the
region of New York State with my family. antemortem and postmortem inspections rules and regulations are permitted to
I am writing this in my personal capacity of meat and poultry products to ensure come in or out of the country.
and my viewpoints are not necessarily that any sick or diseased live animals or As noted previously, I started my career
those of the USDA. carcasses are prohibited from entering as a small animal practitioner. It was a
the food supply. This includes the
The USDA’s mission is to provide conduction of foreign animal, zoonotic position that I enjoyed but I knew it wasn’t
leadership in agriculture issues and reportable disease surveillance quite for me. Even when I was still a
and areas with one of these areas (often in conjunction with other student, I always knew that I wanted to
being food safety. FSIS is the agency agencies within the USDA) as well as do something a little different, I just
within the USDA that handles this by the monitoring of any emerging disease wasn’t sure quite what! When presented
administering the federal meat and trends that may impact the food supply with the opportunity to direct my
poultry inspection programme and the or public health. veterinary career towards public health,
egg products programme to assure I jumped at the chance as I felt as though
the safety, wholesomeness and truthful We also have a duty to enforce it was a way that I could utilise my training
labelling of these products. federal meat and poultry in a unique, fulfilling and meaningful way.
inspection procedures, which – I am very glad that I took the opportunity,
So, where do veterinarians fit into importantly – includes the monitoring and it is my hope that other veterinarians
this? A career like mine in the public and enforcement of animal welfare who are seeking a different direction with
sector has a crucial role in safeguarding laws and humane handling. We also their careers do the same!
human health through the intersection
have a role in supervising and assisting

Jennifer Kennedy (Stanley),
Veterinary Medical Officer with the
Food Safety and Inspection Service
(FSIS) within the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA)

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