Advance conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS)

The purpose of this FOA is to assist State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) retail food regulatory programs with achieving conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS), helping to fulfill training needs, tracking inspector standardization, and other projects to provide jurisdictions resources to reduce the retail foodborne illness risk factors. The grantee may provide financial assistance to SLTT retail food regulatory programs to pursue projects that will advance conformance with the VNRFRPS. The VNRFRPS define what constitutes a highly effective and responsive program for the regulation of foodservice and retail food establishments. According to the CDC, 2014, more than half of foodborne illness outbreaks that occur each year are associated with food from restaurants. The VNRFRPS represent an important component of a comprehensive strategic approach to help ensure the safety and security of the food supply at the retail level.