RETAIL FOOD OPERATIONAL PLAN
Annex 5
National Retail Food Specialist Team
FY'04 Work Plan
Explanation of Work Plan Initiatives
In Order of Priority
National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards
Includes technical assistance and consultation to 180 State and local jurisdictions
performing self-assessments and developing strategic work plans using the
Program Standards as the foundation for enhancing the effectiveness of their
retail food program. Risk Factor Data Collection Project 2004
Data on the occurrence of CDC-identified risk factors that contribute to foodborne
illness were collected on a nation-wide basis in 1998-1999 forming a baseline
against which to compare future data. In 2003, Specialists began collecting
inspection data again to analyze for trends in the occurrence of these factors
as a performance indicator for the national goal of reducing risk factors
by 25 percent for Healthy People 2010. Approximately one quarter of the field
work for data collection will continue into the first quarter of ’04 until
all the selected sample inspections are complete.
Risk Factor Data Analysis and Report Writing
A major portion of the work on the Data Collection Project for 2004 is the
data analysis and preparation of a written report of the results. Key specialists
involved in the preparation for the baseline study will assist CFSAN personnel
in developing a data set that will be compared with the data previously collected
in 1998-1999 and collaborate on a written report that conveys an accurate
interpretation of the data that will be understandable to the lay public
as well as industry representatives and regulators. CFP Committee Work, Position Papers, and Annual Meeting
Participation as members of the Conference Committees charged with the responsibility
for developing consensus recommendations on significant retail food safety
issues. These recommendations are submitted to the Conference for deliberation.
Committees are comprised of representative from federal, state, local and
tribal regulatory agencies, industry, academia and consumer groups. The Conference
for Food Protection holds an annual meeting in 2004. Prior to the Conference,
FDA receives the submitted issues that will be considered at the meeting.
There is a serious burden upon FDA to consider the issues as submitted and
to formulate agency-approved scientific and policy positions that will be
communicated at the meeting. Standardizations
Certification of regulatory retail food inspection/training officers in the
interpretation and application of FDA’s Food Code as well as behavioral aspects
of inspections. A delay in the development of the Interstate Travel Program
standardization process necessitates continued support form the Retail Food
Specialists for one additional year. In addition, CDC has requested that
FDA standardize one person in Atlanta and HIS has requested the same for
one person in Albuquerque. Re-standardizations
Re-certification every three years of regulatory retail food inspection/training
officers, including a one-time re-standardization cycle for the Interstate
Travel Program personnel, in the interpretation and application of FDA’s
Food Code well as behavioral aspects of inspections. Team Leaders – Steering Committee, National Retail Food Team
Includes retail food program planning, development and coordination responsibilities
assigned to the two Specialists selected as Leaders of the National Retail
Food Specialists’ Team and their participation as representatives for ORA
field activities on the National Retail Food Team Steering Committee. Specialists
Food Team election in October 2003 will determine where one Team Leader position
will reside. National Team Work Groups
Includes Specialist initiatives related to Retail Food Program development
of agency procedures, guidance documents, standards, and initiatives of national
importance, etc. Areas addressed within working groups include the National
Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards; Standardization Procedures; Pre-standardization
Workshops; HACCP at Retail; Specialists’ Certification, 2005 Food Code and
other topics as identified by the Retail Food Program Steering Committee. National Projects at Retail
Time is allotted in the Retail Food Protection Work Plan for ORA to accommodate
CFSAN priority assignments that are adjusted annually in response to National
food safety needs. It is anticipated that in fiscal year 2004 the following
assignments will be issued requiring field work:
- Food Security
Educational activities and/or data collection initiatives related to assessing
and enhancing retail awareness of, and preparedness for, intentional or
incidental contamination of food as a result of foreign or domestic terrorists
activities against the citizens of the United States.
- Egg Safety
Educational activities and/or data collection initiatives related to assessing
and enhancing retail compliance with the Egg Safety Rule at the retail
level for pathogen control. To allow for the most effective use of limited
resources, the intent is to seamlessly integrate this initiative into all
asterisked (*) program activities.
Regional Seminars
Includes all preparation work, coordination and organization, as well as presentations
delivered in conjunction with the annual Regional Retail Food Seminars. Training Workshops Planned
Includes training workshops coordinated and delivered primarily by the Specialists,
including but not limited to Food Code courses; pre-standardization workshops;
HACCP workshops, and other identified training topics. Technical Assistance
Includes interpretations and consultation on Food Code and food safety issues
to jurisdictions; presentations delivered to professional and trade associations;
assistance to DHRD in the coordination of State Training courses, liaison
and other work with State Food Safety Task Forces, etc.
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