Rhode Island's Strategy to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS)

Project Summary/AbstractTitle: Rhode Island?s Strategy to Advance Conformance with the VoluntaryNational Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS)Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-FD-20-012The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) proposes to develop, implement andimprove upon the retail food program to achieve significant conformance with theVoluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS). Theprogram will be based on best practices, and at the end of the one year, there will beenhanced infrastructure in place that is scientifically driven, efficient, and focused onfood safety hazards. Ultimately, there will be a reduced risk of foodborne illness andpublic health will be protected.The Compliance Evaluation Standardization Officer in the Center for Food Protection(CFP) will be responsible for managing the VNRFRPS under the direction of thePrincipal Investigator and ensure progress towards conformance with the nine elementsof the national retail standards. The CFP Chief of Retail and Compliance EvaluationStandardization Officer will approach trainings from diverse roles to ensure that staff aretrained, appropriate resources are obtained and disseminated, and the retail program isaligned with the FDA philosophy to educate before and while you regulate. Other stafffunded will provide administrative, programmatic, and IT support.The one-year plan to meet the standards includes ongoing assessment and updates tothe strategic plan based on accomplishments, new developments, and evaluation toensure full alignment with the VNRFRPS. There will be ongoing staff and industrytraining, development of diverse outreach and training materials, amended policies andprotocols, improved analysis and management of data, progress reports, andcollaboration within and outside the department, and a continuous quality improvementprogram that is sustainable at the end of the project.RI will share access to CFP website hyperlinks and food safety developed videos andother educational materials while enhancing consistency with National Standards. TheState intends to support FDA in this endeavor and will have a positive impact on publichealth and the reduction of foodborne illness in and out of state.