Concerning: Review for Potential Harmonization of VNRFRPS and MFRPS

Whereas, AFDO believes the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) and the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) are an important component of achieving an integrated food safety system; and

Whereas, there are currently 42 state food protection agencies that are enrolled in both the VNRFRPS and MFRPS; and

Whereas, there are areas of difference between the program standards that are not related to substantive regulatory differences that cause an additional time and burden for completion by State Retail Food Programs; and

Whereas, the Conference for Food Protection and the Conference for Food Protection Program Standards Committee currently are charged with making recommendations for changes for the VNRFRPS to the Food and Drug and Administration; and

Whereas, the Conference for Food Protection and AFDO have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated May 1, 2007; and

Whereas, the MOU states, “In order to minimize duplication of effort, each organization will work together in a timely manner when feasible to solve food safety and food defense related problems that affect the memberships of both associations;” therefore be it

Resolved, that AFDO recommends the creation of an Ad Hoc joint committee from both organizations co-chaired by the Conference for Food Protection Chair and the AFDO President to review the VNRFRPS and MFRPS with no more than a total of three members from each organizations and one member on the Board of both organizations; and be it further

Resolved, that this Ad Hoc committee will review both sets of program standards looking for areas of potential harmonization between standards and make recommendations to both organizations for potential revisions in both sets of program standards