FSPCA Intentional Adulteration Conducting Vulnerability Assessments Course

Course Description

This course will provide participants with the knowledge to implement the requirements of conducting a vulnerability assessment under the Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (IA) regulation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This regulation is one of a number of regulations and guidance that implement the provisions of the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which focuses on safe food practices.

The Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration regulation (referred to as the IA rule) is aimed at preventing intentional adulteration from acts intended to cause wide-scale harm to public health, including acts of terrorism targeting the food supply. The regulation requires that certain activities must be completed by a “food defense qualified individual” who has successfully completed training in the conduct of a vulnerability assessment. This course developed by the FSPCA is the “standardized curriculum” recognized by FDA; successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements for a “food defense qualified individual” responsible for conducting a vulnerability assessment.

These courses are taught by Lead Instructor(s) for the FSPCA Intentional Adulteration Conducting Vulnerability Assessments (IA VA) course.

Goal: Participants will be able to conduct a vulnerability assessment using the three fundamental elements.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of food defense.
2. Explain vulnerability assessment preliminary steps.
3. Explain inherent characteristics.
4. Recognize the importance of considering an inside attacker
   during a VA.
5. Calculate potential public health impact.
6. Evaluate degree of physical access to the product and the
   ability of an attacker to successfully contaminate the product.
7. Evaluate vulnerability assessment data.
8. Apply the hybrid approach.

To enable online learning format, instructor will engage with students with questions, activities and discussion. This online format requires participants and instructor engagement through both audio and visual technology. Link to the audio and video will be provided prior to the course. Instructor will confirm attendee identify prior to course.

Information supplied will only be used for the purpose of this Registration. No personal information will be shared with any third party.

RQA reserves the right to cancel this program in the event of insufficient registration or instructor emergency and will make a full refund if this occurs. The liability of RQA shall be limited to the amount of the registration fee.

The IA rule does not specify a particular method that you must use to conduct your vulnerability assessment. Two potential methods that can be used are the Key Activity Type (KAT) and/or the Three Fundamental Elements methods. If you  conduct your vulnerability assessment using the KAT method with no modifications, you should consider completing the FSPCA IA Conducting Vulnerability Assessments Using Key Activity Types course and may not need the training provided in this course. However, if you use any modifications to the KAT method or plan to use the Three Fundamental Elements method, then this course would provide valuable insights.

“Food Defense Qualified Individual.” A Food Defense Qualified Individual is an individual who meets the requirements in 21 CFR 121.4(c)(1) and (2) does or oversees the activities listed in 21 CFR 121.4(c)(3).

Prerequisites: This course does not have a formal prerequisite course. It is recommended that experience include five years supporting Quality and Food Defense programs. It is recommended that attendees have knowledge of the Key Activity Type method.

WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING THIS COURSE: This course is designed for those who are involved with development of the Food Defense Plan including the Vulnerability Assessment and those who will be taking responsibility for fulfilling the requirements of the IA rule.

This course does not require the passing of an examination. A knowledge check questionnaire may be provided to support attendee continuous learning. Upon successful completion, participants will receive the FSPCA attendance certificate issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO).

Participant Manual Link: click/tap here (.pdf file)

Cancellation/refund policy: If you cancel 10 days prior to the workshop, you will receive a 50% refund. After that, no refund will be available. Substitutions may be made at any time as long as you notify us.