The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the release of its Retail Food Program Standards Self-Assessment and Verification Audit Courses. The online, self-guided courses are intended to provide training to individuals conducting self-assessments and verification audits of the Retail Food Program Standards.

The Retail Food Program Standards provide a foundation for which regulatory agencies in state, local, territory, and tribal jurisdictions (SLTTs) can use to build retail food regulatory programs. The Retail Food Program Standards promote proper sanitation and operational and environmental prerequisite programs, helping mitigate the factors that contribute to foodborne illness.

Nine Retail Food Program Standards Self-Assessment and Verification Audit Courses are offered. Three are currently available: “An introduction to the Program Standards and the Administrative Procedures,” “Inspection Program Based on HACCP Principles,” and “Uniform Inspection Program.” The remaining six courses will cover regulatory foundations, training for regulatory staff, foodborne illness and food defense, compliance and enforcement, industry and community relations, program support and resources, and program assessment.