FDA MAKES $6.5 MILLION FOOD SAFETY GRANT

In a bid to optimize US food safety inspection results, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set aside a $6.5 million grant to improve the current food safety system.

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) will receive an annual grant of $1.3 million, over the next five years, which will be used in its work with the FDA, building an integrated food safety system.

It is hoped the grant will help the IFPTI prevent foodborne illnesses, which strike approximately 48 million Americans each year, and kill thousands.

The funding will support the implementation of the national food-training infrastructure detailed by the Food Safety Modernization Act.

IFPTI, which is an initiative of the Global Food Protection Institute (GFPI), provides food protection training curriculum and has trained more than 1,800 food safety inspectors from 49 US states.
President and CEO of the GFPI, Julia Bradsher said, “Building an integrated system between federal, state and local agencies responsible for the safety of the nation’s food supply relies heavily on training, and the International Food Protection Training Institute is meeting that need.”