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United States Department of
Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Washington, D.C. 20250-3700 |
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Accomplishments of Small and Very Small Plant Outreach Program FY-02
Purpose
This paper describes the accomplishments of the Small and Very Small Outreach Program for FY (fiscal year) 02.
Introduction
FSIS recognized early on in the HACCP implementation process that both small and very small plants would need guidance and assistance that the large plants that implemented in 1998 did not require. In order to meet these needs a number of outreach programs have been implemented. These programs were tailored to meet the specific needs of both small and very small plants.
Accomplishments FY- 02
Educational Material Development
Universities, in cooperation with Office of Policy, Program Development and Evaluation (OPPDE), developed training and informational material based on HACCP and Food Safety. The material developed was translated into Spanish, copied, and distributed to all small and very small plants, State Meat and Poultry Inspection Directors, and District Managers. Material developed and mailed this year included the HACCP-Plant Implementation and Records Management Manual and Process Validation Workshop Manual and video. Two cooperative agreements with the University of Puerto Rico were started which are associated with Egg Inspection Training Material and Standard Sanitation and Operating Procedures in egg plants.
In an effort to lower copying costs, the development of CD material was initiated. The cost savings associated with this material allows OPPDE to use the money in other educational areas for small plants.
Material Distribution
A new mailing agreement was signed in FY-02. Service Source has taken over all of the mailing of material from Anchor. To further develop the mailing system daily mailing has been built into the system. Also accountability through mail logs and postage meter allotment has been developed to make sure that all mailings go out in a timely manner. Webpage updates on new material were developed.
Outreach Training University Programs
Nine universities have set up cooperative education agreements for five years with the Small and Very Small Outreach Education Program. These universities have developed material and held training classes on HACCP and food safety. FSIS offsets the costs of these classes so as to provide low cost instructional courses for small and very small plants across the country. Over 30 courses have been held across the country in FY-02. Classes are promoted through the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Directors, Consumer Safety Officers, and OPPDE staff. Material is developed by the universities based on the needs of small and very small plants.
The five year agreement allows the universities to develop new initiatives in food safety and HACCP education in association with FSIS. Consistent feed back from the universities will now be used to develop the future direction of training. Over the next five years, initiatives with the universities will be directed to the topics of greatest concern. Assessment of the training will be conducted through on site and subject matter review.
State Directors Initiative
Conference calls and attendance at State Meat and Poultry Inspection Directors meetings were conducted in 2002. New training material and initiatives were discussed. Information gathered at the meetings will be reviewed in the needs assessment for future training.
CSO Training
The training material was presented at several sessions of the Consumer Safety Training class at College Station, Texas. Training was developed by OPPDE in a Power Point format. All available information is given at the training sessions. Support of all CSO’s and others is then coordinated through OPPDE.
Native American Initiative
USDA Food Safety Seminars
Native American Initiative | Five seminars were held in FY-02. |
Seminars Covered:
| Brief history of Federal and State inspection |
| HACCP 101 Introduction of the basic principles |
| Identifying food borne diseases, especially in sheep. |
| Lamb Slaughter Demonstration in Navajo/country settings |
| Producer of lamb and jerky discussed the operations- production process, in relations with the inspectors, and inspector expectations |
| HACCP plans for lamb slaughter and beef jerky |
| Safe food handling from farm to the table |
USDA Navajo Nation Conference/South Dakota
HACCP Workshop | Conference coordinated existing USDA programs and services and explored current problems/issues and opportunities to help improve conditions for the Navajo Nations. |
| The Inter-tribal Bison Cooperative conducted a HACCP Small Scale program implementation workshop. |
Conclusion
Last year’s budget allowed for limited development of new material on educational needs. This year’s budget along with a needs assessment based on data will allow OPPDE to direct its budgetary resources more strategically.Future Options
| Advanced training with very small plants on record keeping |
| Advanced educational classes with more universities |
| Develop more simplified material for plant usage |
| Promote Native American workshops |
| Promote webpage development at universities |
| Continue review of data of states and federal programs |
| Promote contact with states that have “equal to” meat and poultry inspection systems |
| Edit obsolete material from current lists |
| Consolidate material into CD usage |
| Coordinate agency initiatives with small and very small plants |
