Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) requests $300,000 for each of the next five years to achieve full conformance with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) program. FDA developed the MFRPS program as a tool to promote uniformity and cooperation between federal, state and local agencies responsible for regulating manufactured food establishments. The Bureau of Food Safety first enrolled in the MFRPS program in 2007 as one of five states to pilot the standards. The Bureau completed an initial baseline assessment, developed a strategic improvement plan, and participated in an FDA Program Assessment Validation Audit (PAVA). This five-year cooperative agreement will allow Wisconsin to continue its efforts to implement its strategic improvement plan and achieve full-conformance with the standards through such tasks as: Revising policies and procedures, such as those for responding to consumer complaints and food emergencies; Establishing a quality assurance system that includes annual program audits of inspection reports, field inspections, and sampling, and an annual performance review of the compliance system; and Improving and integrating data systems and training staff in the use of data to ensure staff have access to the information they need to conduct effective inspections. In addition, Wisconsin will actively participate in MFRPS meetings, training, and audits to share information with other regulatory agencies.

Public Health Relevance

Several recent high-profile multi-state foodborne illness outbreaks highlighted the need for federal, state and local food safety agencies to work together to prevent and respond to threats to the nation's food supply. FDA developed the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards as one tool for promoting consistency and cooperation between federal and state agencies responsible for inspecting manufactured food establishments. Conformance with the standards ensures that participating states have the structure and capacity to protect public health by effectively preventing and responding to foodborne illness outbreaks associated with manufactured food.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Type
Research Demonstration--Cooperative Agreements (U18)
Project #
5U18FD004438-05
Application #
9114406
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SRC (99))
Project Start
2012-09-30
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$300,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Wisconsin Department/Agri/Trade/Consum/ Prot
Department
Type
DUNS #
809035918
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53718