Question

I need to know who is responsible for aspects of environmental health in each state specifically the state of michigan. I also need to know which organisation / government body is reponsible for food safety withing food establishments in each area of the state - specifically ann arbor michigan.

 

Basically I'm a student in the uk and from the uk. I am studying for my masters degree in environmental health but have a specific interest in food safety.

I need to know how the american system works. Over in england you have to complete either a bachelors degree in environmental health or a masters degree in environmental health. You then have to take professional qualifications and fulfil an environmental health placement before you become a qualified Environmental health practitioner. Once qualified you can go into all different fields eg, housing, public health, health and safety, food safety, waste management, pollution etc.

Each area such as a city of the UK is ran by local councils, withing each council there are departments dealing with all sorts of things one of which is environmental health. Within the environmental health departments the individual specialities eg. food safety, public health etc have there own team of people who deal with all issues in that area. The food safety team for example are responsible for going out to food establishments such as restaurants, factories, take-aways etc and enforcing the law if needed.

I need to find out how the american system works and basically who to contact in for example ann arbor to ask if I can do some of my placement in the states and shadow an environmental health food safety specialist on an inspection of a food premises.

 

I have no idea who to speak to. In this country I'd just ring the food safety team within the environmental health department of my local council, but who do I need to get in touch with in America - specifically ann arbor michigan.

Thanks