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FOODBORNE ILLNESS OUTBREAKS AND PREVENTION EFFORTS
REPORTED BY USCENTAF MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES
DURING
OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM

I. 	INTRODUCTION. 	This document describes the food safety
program conducted by USCENTAF Environmental Health personnel,
summarizes some of the enforcement problems encountered,
describes local food sources and food service facilities used by
USCENTAF operating bases, summarizes foodborne illness outbreaks
experienced, and makes recommendations for future deployments.

II. FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM.

	1. Medical Personnel: Each USCENTAF main operating base included medical support by one 
or more Squadron Medical Elements (SME), an Air Transportable Hospital (ATM) or both. Each ATH 
had one Environmental Health Officer (AFSC 9296) and two EH technicians (AFSC 908X0) assigned. 
At many locations, additional EH technicians (assigned to ATH patient decontamination teams) 
were also available. After August 1990, one EH technician was also assigned to support those 
SMEs not collocated with an ATH. These EH personnel managed the medical aspects of food safety 
programs at USCENTAF bases. An Environmental Health Officer was also assigned to HQ 
USCENTAF/SG.

	2. The U.S. Army deployed a Veterinary food source inspection team to southwest Asia in 
September 1990. This team performed inspections of local food processors and published a list 
of those found acceptable.

	3. Medical food safety objectives of Environmental Health were to:

		a. Ensure that only wholesome foods were used on base by verifying that all foods 
were processed in facilities that met minimum sanitary standards. This task involved 
inspecting the facilities of unlisted local food processors and (after the U.S. Army list 
became available) of matching food sources against published approved source lists.

		b. Prevent the serving of contaminated food in on-base food facilities. This task 
involved inspections to identify and recommend alternatives to unsound food handling and 
personal hygiene practices.

		c. Ensure the present and future usefulness of MREs by inspecting their condition 
and evaluating storage facilities.

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