The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) proposes the continued development of our iPadinspection application to provide a more dynamic software application for inspections,examinations, and investigations; utilizing mobile devices, allowing for instant access to firmhistory, forms, video conferencing, and workforce management. Georgia will collaborate withNorth Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to develop an inspectionsoftware (GDA's grant project) and database system (NCDA&CS' grant project) that can serveas a model for inspection, reporting, and information sharing. The Examinations, Inspectionsand Investigations Cooperative Agreement will establish a uniform foundation for theimplementation and management of mobile application-based software for field use allowinginstant access and real-time reporting of examinations, inspections, and investigations. Thedevelopment and execution of this funding program will assist our collaborative efforts bybuilding software capabilities designed to promote a model for integration of infrastructureacross federal and state agencies.GDA has achieved success utilizing electronic inspection software for field use. We seekfurther development of our software program to provide an intuitive and streamlined inspectionsystem. The updated inspection system would combine the multiple FDA Manufactured FoodInspection Forms into one interface. The system will have the ability to add or removeinspection criteria relevant to specialized processes, based upon the actual operations beingconducted at a given firm. Access to video conferencing, through Skype or FaceTime, wouldallow an inspector to contact subject matter experts or a processing authority, for aid inassessing novel equipment or in-process product evaluation. Ultimately, the inspection data willbe managed by a database system developed by NCDA&CS through their grant funding.If funded under this cooperative agreement application, Georgia will continue to strive towardfull conformance with the MFRPS, as we build capacity in a food safety program focused onpublic health, working in collaboration with FDA and other stakeholders, as part of an integratedfood safety system.
The overall goal of Building the Capacity of State, Local, Territorial and Tribal Food Regulatory Agencies to Undertake Examinations, Inspections, and Investigations and other Related Food Safety Activities Cooperative Agreement, is to continue development of our iPad pilot with focus on expansion and collaboration to make a fully operational, comprehensive inspection system. The advancement of this integrated software application system for manufactured foods programs will provide real-time inspectional capability, while providing a seamless transition of data and information flow through collaboration between FDA Regional Offices, FDA State Offices, and state and local agencies. Georgia will continue to strive toward full conformance with the MFRPS, Standard 3, as we build capacity in a food safety program focused on public health, while working in collaboration with FDA and other stakeholders as part of an Integrated Food Safety System.
