FDA Issues Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Jan. 16 announced that it has issued the 2013 Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards). These standards are intended to help reduce foodborne illnesses associated with retail food and foodservice establishments by promoting continuous improvement of food safety inspection programs, the agency said.
A notice on FDA's website said the Retail Program Standards serve as a guide for retail food managers in state, local, tribal, and territorial retail food regulatory agencies. Specifically, these standards promote: