The Kansas Department of Agriculture's Flexible Funding Model Cooperative Agreement for MFRPS Maintenance, FPTF, and Special Project.

Kansas State Department Of Agriculture, Topeka KS

Investigators

Abstract

Long-Term Objectives The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Food Safety and Lodging (KDA-FSL) is seeking federal funding with the goal of maintaining continuous improvement with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and enhancing the national, fully integrated food safety system. KDA-FSL is also seeking funding for the continued progress of the Kansas Food Protection Task Force (FPTF). The FPTF is composed of a diverse group of regulatory and industry stakeholders and aims to improve food safety awareness in the state of Kansas. Through requested special project funding, KDA- FSL seeks to improve the sampling and response capabilities of the manufactured food program. Specific Aims KDA-FSL seeks to further the progress of an already robust manufactured food safety program and protect the public's health in Kansas and nationwide. It is the responsibility of KDA-FSL to reach hard- to-reach food industry stakeholders in Kansas to educate them on new law and regulations, provide technical assistance, and discuss emerging trends related to food safety issues. By stress-testing the program, KDA-FSL will go beyond the MFRPS criteria to drive system improvements in the sampling program. Methods KDA-FSL will maintain a strategic improvement plan (SIP) to target realistic completion dates for annual review of program policies and procedures. KDA-FSL will fully incorporate the Preventive Controls Rule into the manufactured food training program to ensure all inspection staff are fully trained and capable of conducting full and limited-scope Preventive Controls for Human Food inspections. KDA-FSL will engage the FPTF via quarterly educational newsletters and an annual food safety task force meeting. KDA-FSL will host a full-scale training exercise centered around a positive sample from a manufactured food firm. By involving a variety of stakeholders, KDA-FSL will produce replicable materials for FDA and other jurisdictions to utilize to improve their own programs as part of the national, fully integrated food safety system.