The Virginia Department of Agriculture's (VDACS) Food Safety and SecurityProgram is pleased to provide application for the Food Protection RapidResponse Team and Program Infrastructure Improvement Prototype Project(U18) grant.Virginia envisions meeting the grant provisions by implementing FDA'sManufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards to assess and continuallyimprove the infrastructure of our program. As outlined in this cooperativeagreement, Virginia will conduct a self-assessment to ensure achievement ofbest practices to protect the public from foodborne illness and injury.In addition, Virginia will develop and train an All Hazard Food Rapid ResponseTeam utilizing Incident Command System (ICS) concepts as a core element.Virginia will utilize the funding to create four (4) new positions: Rapid ResponseTeam Coordinator, Foodborne Illness and Outbreak Response Coordinator,Commercial Feed Subject Matter Expert and Technical Expert. Theseindividuals will have specific responsibilities in the areas of training, subjectmatter expertise, agency liaison, emergency response and Manufactured FoodsRegulatory Program Standards.Virginia will utilize a portion of the funding to enhance sampling of imported foodproducts as the Port of Hampton Roads (i.e. Norfolk, VA) is a significant entrypoint for imported foods into this country.Virginia Department of Agriculture is convinced that this proposal will enhanceour food inspection and foodborne illness response programs in meeting theoverall goal and objective of this cooperative agreement.
The intent of this grant request is to create a Rapid Response Team. The creation of a Rapid Response Team will result in a coordinated effective response to foodborne illness outbreaks that will mitigate exposure to these outbreaks and serve as a cornerstone in the prevention of foodborne illness and injury.
