Expanding Minnesotas (MDA) Manufactured Food Program Efforts towards a Nationally Integrated Food Safety System and MFRPS Maintenance

Project Abstract The intended outcome of this cooperative agreement is to advance efforts for a nationally integrated food safety system (IFSS) by supporting the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) Programs, facilitating the development of state dietary supplement inspection program as well as supporting Special Projects. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Food and Feed Safety Division (FFSD) licenses and inspects approximately 10,000 food facilities including 2,000 manufactured food facilities in Minnesota. The MDA-FFSD has a dedicated Manufactured Food Program responsible for manufactured food licensing, compliance, and inspection activities. The Manufactured Food Program has 19 staff members including one program manager, two food supervisors, one dedicated support person, and 15 field inspectors. FFSD has an additional 20 staff that fully or partially support the Manufactured Food Program in administrative capacities. The MDA-FFSD, as part of this application, will create a strategic improvement plan that outlines maintaining full conformance with the MFRPS through maintenance and continuous improvement. MDA-FFSD will maintain a FPTF that provides a forum for all stakeholders of the state food protection system and maximize the protection of public health through integration activities. In addition, MDA-FFSD will initiate the development of a dietary supplement inspection program and complete special projects that support FDA’s mission and vision for building mutual reliance in an IFSS.