Pueblo Food Regulatory Standards Program

7. Project Summary/AbstractIn order to reduce foodborne illnesses and associated burdens, consistent standards must be in place. Thus,the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE) is committed to continuing to adopt andalign with the Food and Drug Administration?s (FDA) Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory ProgramStandards (VNRFRPS). PDPHE will continuously improve quality of services provided, efficiency andeffectiveness of retail food inspection program and staff members, and align with the national food safetysystem. Several strategies are proposed to achieve alignment and adoption of the VNRFRPS.First, training and system improvements are constant requirements to ensure successful adoption andalignment with VNRFRPS. Common knowledge leads to uniform policies, procedures and implementation ofstandards. This will be accomplished by making certain that minimum training requirements are adequate andare completed by all new and current staff, ensuring that eligible retail food inspectors are receiving fieldstandardization certifications for food safety inspections. In addition, an internal quality assurance program willbe established.Additionally, having a system to support data evaluation and guide decision making at the local level is crucialto ensuring PDPHE and retail food establishments are taking efforts to reduce foodborne illness risk factorsand protect the local, state and national food system.Next, to enhance foodborne illness and food defense preparedness and response, PDPHE will re-establish theFoodborne Illness Task Force (FITF). Surrounding county health departments and partner agencies will beinvited to participate with PDPHE?s FITF to increase knowledge, assess policies, procedures and response tofoodborne illness outbreak investigations that may affect Southern Colorado. To further prepare the FITF, atleast one hands-on training/mock table top or field exercise will be conducted.PDPHE serves as a resource for smaller counties in Southern Colorado and will continue providing servicesand mentorship. The FDA retail food standards have already improved the food safety program at PDPHE andas more standards are met, quality, efficiency and effectiveness will increase as well. Sharing these lessonslearned and best practices with other communities will also improve their quality. This is incredibly importantgiven the shared food and health care system within Southern Colorado.