Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award
The Madison Department of Public Health has won the prestigious 1997 Samuel J. Crumbine Consumer Protection Award for its food protection program. The award is named in honor of Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine (1863-1954), a sanitarian/physician and public health pioneer who was renowned for his innovative methods of improving public health protection.
This award has been presented annually since 1955 to one local food protection agency which demonstrates excellence and continual improvement in a comprehensive food protection program.
It is also a tribute to the many outstanding food establishments and dedicated owners and operators found throughout Madison.
The Crumbine award is sponsored by the Conference for Food Protection in cooperation with: American Academy of Sanitarians, Association of Food & Drug Officials, Foodservice & Packaging Institute, Inc., Industry Council on Food Safety, International Association of Milk, Food & Environmental Sanitarians (IAMFES), National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO), National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), Public Health Foundation Enterprises, Inc., NSF International, and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. The award was presented in July at the NEHA, IAMFES and the NACCHO annual conferences and reflects the achievements of the program from 1992 through 1996.
Aspects of the MDPH food protection program which the Crumbine Award Jury found impressive include:
- Refinement and improvement of traditional program while moving emphasis towards educational, customer-based, approach backed by capable and efficient enforcement.
- Increased staff training and involvement in program management and improvement.
- Improved data collection and analysis in evaluation of program, and increased outreach to hospitals and clinics to encourage more accurate reporting of food borne illness.
- Increased outreach to industry through a popular newsletter, increased training programs, achievement awards and creation of a Safe Food Advisory Committee.
- Ongoing integration of HACCP principles into training and inspections.
- Increased involvement of Health Commission and community in the food protection program.
The Madison Department of Public Health is the first health department in Wisconsin to receive this honor.
We are committed to continuously improving the exchange of information between the Health Department and the food industry; let's continue to work together to make Madison number one in the country for safe and healthful dining!
