Source: Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE, 5/14/18

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is launching an initiative to prioritize outreach to small and very small establishments in each of the 10 districts throughout the country, enhancing its existing outreach resources, the agency said in its Constituent Update newsletter.

More than 90% of the approximately 6,000 plants inspected by FSIS are considered small or very small. Outreach to these businesses is critically important — ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and resources needed to comply with FSIS regulations and deliver products that are safe and wholesome.

As part of the outreach, FSIS’ Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officers (EIAOs) will dedicate 25 percent of their time to outreach activities, working directly with owners and operators from small and very small establishments to discuss food safety and regulatory compliance, review available tools and resources, and respond to inquiries. Direct outreach activities may include one-on-one discussions, regional workshops, conferences and roundtable discussions, the agency said.
This outreach initiative complements other FSIS resources available to provide support to small and very small establishments, including the Small Plant Help Desk (SPHD).

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