This FDA scientist’s work helps public health officials find sources of tainted food much faster

When people get some sort of foodborne illness, you want the source off the market as soon as possible. At one time that took weeks or even months. A government doctor developed an application of a methodology called genomic epidemiology to foodborne heebee geebies. It greatly speeds up pinpointing the source. For his work, he’s a finalist in this year’s Service to America Medals program. Federal Drive host Tom Temin talked with Dr. Steven Musser, deputy director for scientific operations in the F-D-A’s center for food safety and applied nutrition.