Protecting the Pork Supply Chain with a One Health Framework

By Dr. Heather Fowler, director of producer and public health for the National Pork Board

Dr. Heather Fowler is the director of producer and public health for the National Pork Board. In this role, she oversees education, outreach and research for public health and worker safety and health in the swine industry.

Prior to joining the National Pork Board in 2017, Dr. Fowler served as the associate director of animal health for the Center for One Health Research (COHR) where she assisted in One Health efforts. In this leadership role, Dr. Fowler worked on multidisciplinary teams to address topics related to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship using the One Health framework.

Dr. Fowler completed her veterinary medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After veterinary school, she received a master’s in public health in applied biostatistics and epidemiology from the Yale School of Public Health.

In 2011, Dr. Fowler began the two-year Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CSTE/CDC) Applied Epidemiology Fellowship, where she worked alongside members of the Zoonoses group at the Minnesota Department o

In 2013, Dr. Fowler began a Ph.D. program at the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences in Seattle, Washington. Her dissertation focused on the occupational hazards present in small-animal veterinary practice, with an emphasis on needlestick/sharps and animal bite injuries. Dr. Fowler is board certified in veterinary preventive medicine and holds a certification in project management from the Project Management Institute.

Protecting the Pork Supply Chain with a One Health Framework

The food and beverage manufacturing sector relies on a stable and transparent supply chain. At the National Pork Board (NPB), we recognize that the health of our animals, people and our environment are all connected. This perspective aligns with the One Health approach, a globally recognized framework for multisectoral collaboration that operates at local and global levels to affect positive changes. By removing silos and considering worker safety, swine health and wellbeing and environmental stewardship simultaneously, we protect the integrity of the entire food system.

This framework directly aligns with our We Care^® Ethical Principles to optimize every step of pork production. By focusing on this collaborative approach, we provide processors and management teams with the credible leadership and data-driven insights necessary to thrive in an evolving marketplace.

How the CSIA supports animal care and supply chain confidence

Animal welfare is a core value for U.S. pig farmers and an important factor in maintaining pork safety, worker safety and supply chain reliability. The Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) provides a shared framework used by packers and customers to assess on-farm animal care practices and pre-harvest food safety measures.

The CSIA focuses on objective, science-based measures to help support continuous improvement across the industry. By providing a common audit approach, the program offers supply chain partners transparency into on-farm practices while allowing producers to demonstrate their commitment to responsible animal care. By centering attention on the pig and the people who care for them, the industry can help maintain a consistent supply of nutritious pork while strengthening trust across the supply chain.

Advancing worker safety through PQA^® Plus and TQA^® certification

Protecting our people is just as important as caring for our pigs. Our workforce remains the heartbeat of the industry, and their safety is paramount to maintaining business continuity. Through the Pork Quality Assurance^® Plus (PQA Plus^®) and Transport Quality Assurance^® (TQA^®) programs, we offer comprehensive education and certification for caretakers and transporters.

These programs address worker safety, public health, environmental stewardship and animal well-being. By training individuals in the best practices for handling and moving pigs, we promote a safer environment for both pigs and people. We remain committed to supporting the mental well-being of those in agriculture, recognizing that a healthy workforce is the foundation of a reliable food system.

Using farm-level data for sustainable supply chain reporting

In the pork industry, sustainability is a commitment we back up with real-world metrics. Through Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports, producers document their progress in areas such as water quality, soil health and manure management.

This initiative provides food manufacturers with the granular, farm-level data needed to meet sustainability reporting requirements. By sharing this information, we showcase the pork supply chain’s responsible stewardship of our shared environment. These reports help our partners track real progress toward shared goals while proving the industry’s commitment to the planet.

Nutritional value of pork in the newest dietary guidelines

The recently released dietary guidelines highlight the importance of nutrient-dense proteins in a balanced diet. Federal guidance encourages a variety of protein foods, recognizing pork as a reliable option that provides vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc and B vitamins.

As a versatile and affordable choice, pork can help families meet their daily nutritional needs. This nutritional profile, combined with our One Health commitment, positions pork as a premier choice for food and beverage manufacturers seeking to offer quality options to consumers.

Collaborative strategies for a reliable food production system

NPB remains a dedicated partner to the processing and manufacturing community. Our proactive research and data provide the scientific foundation your business needs to protect its reputation and future. By working together across the supply chain, we can better anticipate emerging challenges and ensure the continued integrity of the food system.

Let’s work together to build a more transparent and stable supply chain: https://www.porkcares.org/partnerships/.