Advancing Conformance With The Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program

Abstract:This project aims to provide greater statewide conformance to the FDA Voluntary NationalRetail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) for both the Arizona Department ofHealth Services (ADHS) retail food regulatory program and those of the 11 countyenvironmental health departments which are currently enrolled..ADHS has two key objectives in year one. To conduct a statewide baseline needs assessmentof the counties' current progress and future plans to meet the VNRFRPS and to solidify andstrengthen its own administrative program support and fill program resource assessment needsYears 2 - 5 place greater emphasis on flexible but purposeful statewide and regionalcollaboration. Counties will be able to select various options individually and collectively forprogram success. Special emphasis for county support will include Standard 2, (TrainedRegulatory Staff), Standard 7 (Industry and Community Relations) and Standard 8, (ProgramSupport and Resources). The completion of other Standards, such as 3, 4, 6, and 9 which aremore administrative in nature, may require the initiation of short-term workgroups or teams.Project resources will be approached globally throughout the project period for meetingStandard 5, Foodborne Illness and Food Defense Preparedness and Response. Food samplingkits will be purchased for ADHS and the Arizona county environmental health departments toutilize in a real outbreak or a jurisdictional exercise. Reagents and food testing kits will bepurchased to ensure the laboratory is poised to maintain capacity to respond to a foodborneillness outbreak investigation.