Development and Maintenance of Human and Animal Food Rapid Response Teams (U2F) Massachusetts FPP

Project Summary/Abstract Through the Maintenance of Human and Animal Food Rapid Response Teams (U2F) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Grant opportunity, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, Food Protection Program (BEH/FPP) will maintain conformance with the most current version of the Rapid Response Team plan, as well as support coordinated federal/state/local Human and Animal Food (HAF) emergency response efforts. Continued conformance with the MFRPS will ensure that Massachusetts’ manufactured food regulatory program maintains best practices for a high-quality regulatory program to reduce foodborne illness hazards in plants that manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods. BEH/FPP will continue to regulate and inspect its 1,700 food manufacturers statewide, including licensed and non-licensed facilities and firms under shellfish and dairy cooperative program inspections. The RRT will rapidly and effectively address food emergencies, such as foodborne illness outbreaks, using a system of incident management, laboratory testing, epidemiologic investigations, traceback and recall operations, public and internal communications, data sharing, and trainings. The Massachusetts RRT program will continue to be an active member of the Working Group on Foodborne Illness Control to support an integrated response capacity. BEH/FPP will continue to support the national infrastructure with continuing participation in the mentorship program. BEH/FPP will collaborate closely with federal, state, and local public health partners, industry, and other stakeholders as well as with agencies and organizations in food/feed manufacturing, distribution, and protection to support its technical and operational foundation for RRT maintenance. Measures to meet goals and objectives will be carried out within the framework of the US FDA cooperative agreement. BEH/FPP is committed, through its participation in this cooperative agreement, to maintain and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of food safety and protection in Massachusetts and beyond.