Announcing the Center for Foodborne Illness
Research & Prevention
After another year that produced multiple foodborne outbreaks, Barbara Kowalcyk and Patricia Buck founded a new non-profit, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention (CFI), dedicated to preventing foodborne disease through research, education and advocacy.
Kowalcyk, the new Director of Food Safety for CFI and the former President of Safe Tables Our Priority (S.T.O.P.), said that “CFI was founded to help America find innovative, science-based solutions for the food challenges of the 21st Century.” Buck, who is the Executive Director for the new group, commented that “food safety needs to become a top priority for America. I hope that CFI will generate new ways of engaging people, particularly those who provide food to vulnerable populations, in learning more about food safety issues and safe food handling practices.”
Buck and Kowalcyk, a mother-daughter set of advocates, became active volunteers for food safety after the death of Kevin Kowalcyk, the two year old son of Barbara and Michael Kowalcyk, in 2001 from complications due to an E. coli O157:H7 infection.
“What happened to my child was horrific,” said Kowalcyk, “and afterwards, I was appalled at how little attention is focused on this very serious public health issue that affects millions of Americans each year.” Buck agrees and adds, “America needs to recognize the serious issues that foodborne disease poses and become more knowledgeable about ways to improve food protection.” Buck, a teacher, and Kowalcyk, a biostatistician, have realigned their career goals and intend to dedicate all of their efforts to helping America find ways to prevent foodborne disease and improve food protection.
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