—Guilan Huang, FDA
The use of GIS technology could make complex public health decision-making processes more manageable while offering a more effective hierarchical warning system. Data representing imported spinach was selected as a test-bed for initial evaluation. GIS was applied to convert the data from a spreadsheet file into GIS data representing location-specific information, which are easily assembled/linked with other data. GIS was used to visualize spatiotemporal manufacturer consignee-networks that provided a straightforward and innovative way to illustrate and explore the pattern and trend of imported quantities of spinach from Mexico. This could also serve as a real-time alarm system to report anomaly imported quantities. Finally, these geodocumenting consignees, ports and manufacturers will identify geographic areas of greatest concern, and support the speed and accuracy of epidemiological, trace-back, and environmental investigations. In addition, GIS mapping and spatial analysis will provide for more rapid communication with consumers, industry, and public health agencies.