In a time when there is an information vacuum, I would encourage all meat and poultry establishment operators to “build the relationship” with their FSIS inspection program personnel (IPP). While these individuals have a specific job to perform, verification and enforcement of the regulations, we all have the same goal – the shipment of safe and wholesome food from every facility.
Many of us would be surprised at the information we might learn if we truly began to communicate at the “weekly meetings” that are to be held at every establishment. For example, during this period of government shutdown, while the IPP are “on the job,” are you aware they will be receiving their last paycheck this week (and it will only include pay through September 30, 2013)? Yes, that’s right; they are currently working with the uncertainty of when they will receive their next paycheck.
When discussing more substantive issues, there may be a similar realization that the IPP may not be provided with all the information that you think they receive. For example, the IPP does not receive the FSIS Constituent Update, a frequent source of information for industry on FSIS happenings. Additionally, the IPP likely does not receive a copy of Federal Register Notices to review; simply they receive FSIS Directives and Notices, which are the instructions for verification based on those Federal Register Notices. As you can see, we might be entering this meeting from different exposures to information.
I share this as a challenge. Use a different lens this week. Look at things from a different angle. Try to consider that the IPP may not have all the information that you have seen (particularly this week!). See if you can use the government shutdown as an opportunity to “build the relationship” and improve communication with the IPP at your establishment. After all, something good should come of this shutdown!
Before joining OFW Law, Dr. Masters served as Acting Administrator and then Administrator for the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) from March 2004 through January 2007.
