How to resolve AdBlock issue? Health Department One of Only Five in Nation to Meet FDA Standards
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- Staff Reports | GwinnettCitizen.com
Out of 831 jurisdictions enrolled throughout the United States, Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County (GNR) Health Departments is now one of only five jurisdictions in the nation to meet all nine standards of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program ("Program Standards").
Conforming to the Program Standards is a rigorous process according to Chris Smith, Retail Food Service director with the FDA: "On average most jurisdictions meet two to three standards out of the nine total." Smith met with the county boards of health to present the nine standards certificates to Jason Reagan, director of environmental health at GNR Health Departments.
"Who hasn't eaten at a restaurant in the last year?" Reagan asked. "We have created a uniform standard across our Food Service program. Everyone in our three counties will benefit from safer restaurants, all held to the highest standards."
The nine standards include, (1) Regulatory Foundation, (2) Trained Regulatory Staff, (3) Inspection Program Based on HACCP Principles, (4) Uniform Inspection Program, (5) Foodborne Illness and Food Defense Preparedness, and Response, (6) Compliance and Enforcement, (7) Industry and Community Relations, (8) Program Support and Resources, and (9) Program Assessment.
There are currently only four other jurisdictions in the country meeting all nine standards. Those include Kansas City Missouri Health Department (Missouri), City of Vineland Health Department (New Jersey), Portsmouth Health Department (Virginia), and Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (Virginia).
To learn more about the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, visit the FDA's website.