June 7, 1999

The beef industry has held a training seminar for media correspondents who represent doctors, nurses, dentists and other health professionals. As part of the training, information about beef and beef products was presented to help the professionals respond to media inquiries concerning food safety.

Pat Fuchs, manager of health organization partnerships for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, says that as part of their training, the health professionals received nutrition and health information about beef and beef products.

Morning news shows and news channels often call doctors to get professional views and opinions when food issues become newsworthy. This advance training gets them prepared to act and even helps them work in teams to effectively and accurately deliver credible information before radio, print and television media, says Fuchs.

Through actual issue exercises, such as food recalls, disease outbreaks or even the announcement of scientific findings, Fuchs says physicians received hands on training, evaluation and tips on how a national issue evolves and how to put potentially misleading reports into perspective for viewers, listeners and readers.