An Overview of the FSIS Import Triad of Protection
NACMPI August 27, 2008
Dr. Bill James
Office of International Affairs
USDA/FSIS
2Food Safety and Inspection Service
CONCERNSo Animal feed ingredients (melamine)o Beef trimmings (E. coli O157:H7)o Chicken products (avian influenza)
3Food Safety and Inspection Service
HAZARDSo Pathogens: E. coli O157:H7o Residues: Veterinary drugso Contaminants: Dirto Condition: Transportation damage
4Food Safety and Inspection Service
INTERNATIONAL POLICY
Office of Policy and Program Development◦ Articulate policy
▪ domestic inspection▪ “equal to”▪ “equivalent”
5Food Safety and Inspection Service
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a foreign inspection system has achieved and maintains equivalence to the U.S. inspection system, so that the U.S. appropriate level of protection is met.
6Food Safety and Inspection Service
CONTROLS
SystemsAudits
Port-of-EntryReinspection
Equivalence
TRIAD OF PROTECTION
7Food Safety and Inspection Service
Evolution of Change for Improvement
o FDA
o Industry
o Foreign governments
8Food Safety and Inspection Service
EQUIVALENCE
CURRENT
o Initial equivalence
o Continuing equivalence
9Food Safety and Inspection Service
EQUIVALENCE
FUTURE
o Objective Outcomes ?
Hazard levels
Risk levels
10Food Safety and Inspection Service
AUDITS
CURRENT
o In-country evaluation
o Out-of-country evaluation
11Food Safety and Inspection Service
AUDITS
FUTURE
o Broader collection of knowledge ?
365-day audit
√ Inspection information
√ Affect on in-country audit scope and frequency
o Country self-assessment ?
12Food Safety and Inspection Service
RE-INSPECTION
CURRENT
o Routine
o Directed
o For cause
13Food Safety and Inspection Service
RE-INSPECTION
FUTURE
o Directed ?
√ Equivalence determinations
√ Audit information
14Food Safety and Inspection Service
PHIS
o Data input
o Connection to ACE-ITDS
o Target Center
15Food Safety and Inspection Service
ACTIONS
SUSPENSION
o Products
o Plants
o Country
16Food Safety and Inspection Service
CONCLUSION
o Real concerns
o Real hazards
o Real protection
FSIS Triad of Protection
o Equivalence
o Audits
o Re-inspection
17Food Safety and Inspection Service
THANK YOU
