Public Health Professor Deb Risisky joined U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, regional health leaders, and alumni in the field at a Jan. 29 press conference in Branford, Conn., to advocate for stronger national food safety oversight.
Held at the East Shore Health District in Branford, organizers highlighted the reintroduction of the Federal Food Administration Act, legislation aimed at streamlining the nation’s food safety system by consolidating oversight into a single agency. The proposal comes amid growing concern over recent food recalls that have underscored gaps in the current system.
Risisky, a professor in Southern’s Department of Public Health and director of the Health and Wellness Coaching Program, spoke on behalf of the Connecticut Chapter of the Society for Public Health Education (CT SOPHE). She emphasized that food safety is a core public health issue tied to trust, equity, and economic stability.
“Access to food alone is not enough if that food isn’t safe,” Risisky said. “Safe food should be a basic expectation, not a privilege, for every community.”
She also highlighted Southern’s role in preparing public health professionals, noting that many graduates serve in local health departments and community organizations across Connecticut, helping protect the safety of the food supply every day.
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