Tab 6: Manufactured Food
The manufactured food training plan consists of 3 tiers—1) initial/warehouse inspections, 2) basic manufactured food plant inspections, and 3) advanced manufactured food plant inspections. Completion of each level is generally sequential.
Beyond this introduction, tab 6 consists of the following six documents.
a. The manufactured food training policy. This 15-page document describes the 3-tier training requirements for the program. Forms for recordkeeping are also provided.
b. The first tier of training is called initial training, and successful completion thereof certifies inspectors to conduct independent inspections of warehouse-type facilities. As you read the manufactured food training policy, you will learn that you must read five program policies as a part of the first level of training. The first is the manufactured food training policy; the others are listed below and provided in this tab for your convenience.
i. Inspection Process, Inspection Workflow and Inventory Maintenance.
ii. Inspection Audit Policy.
iii. Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
iv. Industry and Community Relations Policy.
c. Sign-off sheets. This document is used to finalize the training process by providing sign-off your training by your supervisor, the appropriate program manager, and the field services coordinator. Since the manufactured food program offers a 3-tiered training procedure, 3 distinct sign-off sheets are provided.
A unique feature of the manufactured food program is the depth in which it interacts with its federal partner agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Within the program policies you will learn how FDA’s software called eSAF is used to share information. The system has its oddities and you may need to seek additional assistance from peers or program staff until you are comfortable working in it. You will also learn about another unique feature of the federal-state manufactured food relationship—FDA Credentials. FDA Credentialing is documentation showing that a person has been commissioned by FDA and allows state staff to perform
inspections under federal authority and to view information that is not available to the public. All inspectors who work in the manufactured food program are required to obtain and maintain FDA Credentials. A federal background check is required.
Not all field inspectors will be asked to complete advanced training for the manufactured food program. Talk to your supervisor to determine if you need to complete advanced manufactured food training.