Final answer:
Public health agencies should monitor the CDC for data on foodborne outbreaks and local news for updates on food safety. These sources provide crucial information that assists in identifying and managing public health threats.
Step-by-step explanation:
Local or state public health agencies should monitor two main sources for information during foodborne outbreaks and other public health emergencies. The first source is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which provides timely data on foodborne diseases and their spread. This information is critical for tracking the incidence of outbreaks and implementing recall procedures, as was the case during the Salmonella outbreak traced to onions from California.
The second source is local news, which can provide updates on food safety concerns relevant to specific areas, including contaminated food items and restaurant closures due to health violations.
Additionally, government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and local departments of health enforce safety regulations in food production and handling. They require food tracing to its point of origin and date of processing, which aids epidemiologists in pinpointing the source of foodborne disease outbreaks. Regular news monitoring allows agencies to issue timely warnings to the public regarding unsafe food products or water supplies, thereby preventing further spread of disease.