Background
Alaskans rely on the foods they hunt, catch, gather, and grow for their livelihoods, nutrition, and cultural expression. If food resources are contaminated, potentially contaminated, or perceived to be contaminated, there could be human health, socioeconomic, psychological, emotional, and cultural ramifications. This project informed the response community of regulations and guidelines associated with food safety in Alaska.
Methods
A review of statutes and regulations, literature, and documentation from past spills, from Alaska and elsewhere in the U. S. as well as internationally, was used to produce a report outlining policy and guidance related to food safety in the event of a marine oil spill in Alaska.
Results
This project provided information to the ARRT (Alaska Regional Response Team) to improve the preparedness of agency officials to handle food safety-related issues during a response. The report promotes a shared understanding within user groups of the food resources at risk and the guidelines in place to address food safety.