December 1998 HACCP Update
Technical Service Center Prepared for Phase II of HACCP Implementation
Since its beginning on January 20, 1998, the FSIS Technical Service Center's HACCP Hotline has proven to be a valuable resource both to industry and FSIS field personnel. The team of technical experts who staff the HACCP Hotline have processed more than 16,200 calls since it opened. These experts address HACCP technical and implementation questions and concerns from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday. An electronic message and paging service is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The goal of this team is to provide immediate and consistent information. (The HACCP Hotline is not for the purpose of industry appeals of inspection related decisions. All such appeals must still be directed to the ppropriate District Office.) With over 3,000 small plants required to implement HACCP by January 25, 1999, the Agency anticipates an increasing number of calls. To respond to the needs and concerns of small plants and to continue to provide quality service, FSIS is doubling the number of technical experts who staff the Hotline. In addition, each District Office will continue to provide after-hours emergency contact numbers (24-hour, seven-days a week phone coverage), and the Headquarters Office for Field Operations in Washington will continue to staff a toll-free number to provide round-the-clock assistance. The HACCP Hotline and the District Offices' after-hours phone coverage will remain in operation as long as a need exists. (See attachments for current numbers for each District Office and the toll-free number for Headquarters.)
Small Plant HACCP Implementation Public Meetings Reached Wide Audience—Video Now Available
The last in a series of 20 nationwide public meetings on small plant HACCP implementation was held on December 8. Over 1,700 small plant owners and managers, and other interested persons participated in the 20 meetings. Through these meetings the Agency was able to provide the information and guidance small plants need to implement HACCP. As was indicated in the October 1998 Small Plant HACCP Update, FSIS videotaped the second public meeting held in College Park, MD, on September 26. This was done in order to assist those small plant owners and managers who were unable to attend one of the nationwide public meetings, or participate at one of the down link sites. Copies are now available by faxing requests to: Mary Cutshall, National HACCP Small Plant Coordinator, at (202) 690-0824.
FSIS Administrator Updates Small Plants on Agency HACCP Implementation Initiatives
On December 3, FSIS Thomas J. Billy issued a letter to small and very small plant owners/operators to continue to provide them with implementation assistance. This letter was the third in a series of letters from Mr. Billy which were written to assist small plants in preparing for HACCP implementation. The letters provided suggested activities, a timetable for completing them, and a listing of technical assistance resources to assist the small plants in a successful transition to HACCP. In his letter, Mr. Billy also urged those plants that are experiencing difficulties to contact the FSIS District Offices. A list of the District Offices with contact names and numbers was attached to the letter.
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