FDA Announces Retail Food Safety Action Plan

October 24, 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Retail Food Safety Action Plan with several supporting measures focused on managers of food stores, restaurants, schools, and other foodservice operations in the United States, and their food safety operations.  The Action Plan also improves the oversight of these establishments by public health agencies at the Federal, state and local levels, and calls for improved personnel training on measures to keep food safe.

In support for the Action Plan, the FDA has established a cooperative agreement with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to promote the use of best practices by local authorities, develop tools to strengthen retail food safety oversight, and implement the FDA's Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards for retail food regulatory programs.  Additionally, the FDA issued a Supplement to the 2009 FDA Food Code that includes recommendation for employment of at least one certified food protection manager at retail food establishments, to ensure adherence to safe practices and standards within the establishment. 

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