FSIS Establishes Outreach Training Program Area to Assist Establishments and Edu

[2008-12-23 17:07:01]

Congressional and Public Affairs

(202) 720-9113

Amanda Eamich



DALLAS, March 7, 2008- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a new program office dedicated to supporting the agency's continued efforts in outreach to small and very small plants and education of FSIS personnel. [ Access the audio/video stream ] (WMV; 9:10).



The Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training (OOEET) will provide consolidated access, resources and technical support for small and very small plants to better assist them in providing safe and wholesome meat, poultry and processed egg products. This program area also will ensure that all FSIS personnel have the necessary training to effectively carry out their assigned duties. OOEET will collaborate with state inspection programs to share training materials, provide technical advice and conduct outreach activities.



"Ensuring the safety of the nation's food supply makes good public health sense as well as good business sense," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "Owners and operators of every plant size need resources and tools for food safety success, so continued education through a rigorous outreach program is a critical long-term agency priority." This reorganization will consolidate the Agency's existing outreach, training and state program liaison functions and staff into a unified outreach program area and will enhance the consistency, efficiency and utilization of resources. In addition, OOEET will provide: More rapid and consistent delivery of key services to serve better the needs of small and very small plants, One-stop access to information and technical assistance, Continuing publication and assessment of guidance and information to ensure consistent application of public health regulatory policies, Enhanced relationships with our public health partners, Continuing evaluation of the effectiveness of FSIS programs focused on small and very small plants, and Improved collaboration with other USDA agencies on the needs of small and very small plants.

The establishment of OOEET enhances the agency's ongoing effort to assist small and very small plants with implementing food safety and public health regulations. In 2005, FSIS embarked on this effort by hosting listening sessions to learn what these establishments needed most. What followed was a rigorous outreach program to assist plants in improving their HACCP plans and, overall, to achieve greater regulatory compliance through education and information. OOEET will serve as a key partner with industry in this important and worthwhile effort.



For more information about FSIS outreach to small and very small plants, see the FSIS small plant web page at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Small_Very_Small_Plants/index.asp .
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Last Modified: March 7, 2008
Source: FSIS
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