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VT Directive 5100.5 PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS AND FSIS RESPONSE TO ELEVATED PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATION NONCOMPLIANCE RATES

This directive summarizes how FSIS determines the annual updated list of Public Health Regulations (PHRs). Based on FSIS data analysis, PHRs are associated with positive pathogen results or enforcement actions. PHR noncompliance rate data are used to inform as to when additional evaluation is necessary to assess an establishment’s operational and compliance history. This directive also instructs in-plant inspection program personnel (IPP) and the Meat Inspection Chief on how to respond to the Public Health Information System (PHIS) Early Warning Alerts. Finally, this directive provides information on when the Office is to schedule a Public Health Risk Evaluation (PHRE) to determine if a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) is necessary.
KEY POINTS:
• Each year, FSIS updates a list of PHRs, based on data analysis, to allow FSIS to focus on specific public health related regulations that may best inform FSA prioritization
• FSIS uses the PHR noncompliance rate data to determine cut points for a PHR Early Warning Alert and PHRE
• When IPP receive a PHR Early Warning Alert through PHIS, they are to review and evaluate the establishment’s noncompliance history, identify noncompliance trends, and work with their supervisors to determine what actions are necessary
• When the Office is informed by FSIS that an establishment met or exceeded the cut point for PHRE scheduling, the Office is to assign an Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO) to perform a PHRE to aid in determining whether a FSA is necessary
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