Food Safety Program adapts, perseveres, and excels in 2020

Kathy Davis, Communications

Northwest Region Food Safety Program inspector, 
Victoria Shaffer. 

Something we all want is confidence that the food we buy is safe to eat. WSDA’s Food Safety Program is a front line of protection in Washington State. 

The program regulates, licenses and inspects in-state food processing facilities, food storage warehouses, dairy farms and processing plants, cottage food operations, custom meat facilities, honey, eggs, and marijuana-infused edibles. 

The Food Safety Program, which employs 37 people, issued more than 500 new licenses and permits and conducted nearly 2,000 food safety inspections of licensed processors and warehouses in 2019. 

How has this work been affected by a global pandemic that has changed most everything? And how has the Food Safety Program managed to continue to ace rigorous federal audits, even in 2020?

Forced learning curve

“It (COVID-19) impacted everything,” said David Smith, Food Safety Program manager. “We went from full inspection capacity to zero in the course of a couple of days.”

Eastern Region inspector,
Caleb James.

Except for urgent public health responses the program paused routine inspections including a 90-day stop-work order halted federal inspections under contract and routine dairy work. Inspections resumed June and July in response to the state’s safe-start plan phased reopening.  But social distancing and other requirements have fundamentally changed how work is done. 

“It’s been a learning curve for staff on how to physically distance and follow safety protocols while at firms where employees work in confined areas,” David noted. 

Neat workarounds

One big challenge has been trying to hear conversations in noisy industrial environments, while maintaining distance and wearing masks. 

The program “found some neat workarounds early in the pandemic,” according to Gena Reich, coordinator for the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards. 

For instance, the program purchased two-way radios with headsets and push-to-talk features. These have improved communication between inspectors and regulated business staff. The equipment also allows more than one program staffer to conduct onsite inspections, which is important when each brings specific necessary expertise. 

The Food Safety Program also started using FaceTime on their cell phones for visual verification, Skype for meetings, online staff training, remote records reviews, and alternative licensing options for low-risk operations.

“We have had to really think about how we follow the intent of public health in a new era of COVID-19, where we can’t inspect in the same way we did before,” David said. 

Another big impact has been funding hits. Contracts and grants from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provide an important share of the program’s budget. 

Eastern Region inspector,
Roger Smith.

"The FDA implemented a 90-day, stop-work order which, while necessary, was a significant impact on revenue,” David said. The program also saw a 75 percent reduction in sanitary certificate revenue as a result of a drastic reduction in exports.  

"Despite the work-stop order, and many challenges resulting from COVID-19, the program was able to complete 94 percent of the planned work for FDA and is now conducting the public health work we do in all areas of the state.  Our team believes in its role as part of the food safety system and I could not be more proud of them."

Maintaining high standards

In the face of all these challenges, the program has demonstrated high standards. In September, FDA awarded WSDA full compliance with all federal Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS). 

Since 2016, the Food Safety Program has been audited three times under a cooperative agreement with FDA, each time passing with flying colors.  To add to this challenge, this was the first time the audit was conducted virtually.  The audits last up to five days, during which program staff must answer hundreds of questions and prove conformance with 10 standards of internal food regulations.  

“They had some significant obstacles to overcome this time around and I’m really proud of the way the team stayed flexible and worked together to get this done,” said Steve Fuller, assistant director of the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. 

“There is teamwork,” said Gena, who coordinates the effort. “We have a strong commitment to the MFRPS program from division leadership on down to help us be successful.” 

Experience, connections and being highly organized also help make it happen. 

“I have good connections with coworkers, industry and other states that help us learn from each other,” Gena explained. “We have access to FDA coaches and I can reach out to other states that have been successful, particularly those with programs similar to ours.”

“It’s only fair we get evaluated because we go into firms and do the same thing to them. It’s important that our regulatory standards are recognized at the national level and this program continues to be a leader in food safety," David noted. 

In summary: Something we all want is confidence that the food we buy is safe to eat. WSDA’s Food Safety Program is a front line of protection in Washington State. How has this work been affected by a global pandemic that has changed most everything? And how has the Food Safety Program managed to continue to ace rigorous federal audits, even in 2020? Read all about it in the Insider.  

Feed Program intern values experience and keeps going

Anna Howard, Animal Feed Program

Anna in her home office.

Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up to the Insider’s feature about Anna Howard when she joined WSDA as an intern this summer. Here she looks back and reflects on her experience. 

Over the past several months as an intern for the WSDA Animal Feed Program, I’ve had opportunities to grow academically and professionally. 

I recently graduated with an interest in public health work. So it’s been exciting for me to work in the animal feed regulation field, which incorporates public health and safety in a unique way. 

As a member of the animal feed team, I’ve taken part in online training and meetings with industry partners from all over the country. This has allowed me to learn about  feed industry topics like inspections and sampling procedures, manufacturing and processing standards, and recalls. 

In addition, this internship has helped me develop and practice new professional skills such as organization, project management, communications, auditing, and outreach. 

One of the major goals of my position was to help the program implement and maintain the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFPRS) by reviewing and updating existing program documentation and identifying areas of improvement. Reviewing procedures and forms gave me greater insight into the program’s purpose, responsibilities, and scope, and I was able to use critical thinking and analysis. 

Practicing creativity 

Throughout my internship, I performed desk audits of inspection and sampling reports and helped identify solutions for corrective actions and staff training. Producing trainings and quizzes based on various standards allowed me to present material in a creative way. 

I also refined my creativity and writing skills by working on the program’s monthly newsletters. 

My favorite task was beginning a new outreach project with my supervisor and the WSDA Communications Office, and brainstorming ways to creatively get information to industry partners. I learned about the importance of outreach and making information accessible and engaging for an audience. 

Thankfully, I will be able to continue this project and several others because my position has been converted to part time and extended until July 2021. 

I have learned a tremendous amount in my time with the Animal Feed Program. I can only imagine how much more I will be able to learn and do over the course of the next year. 

In summary: Over the past several months as an intern for the WSDA Animal Feed Program, Anna Howard has been learning and growing academically and professionally. Here she looks back and reflects on her experience. She’s been such an asset to the program that her position has been extended into next year.