FSPCA IA Conducting Vulnerability Assessments (IA VA) Course

Conducting a vulnerability assessment is a critical component of developing a food defense plan, which is a requirement under the FSMA rule “ Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration”  (21 CFR Part 121).

Successfully completing this course is one way to meet the requirements for a “food defense qualified individual” responsible for conducting a vulnerability assessment.

The FSPCA IA Conducting Vulnerability Assessments Participant Course will equip participants with the tools to assess and address vulnerabilities in food production processes that could be exploited for intentional adulteration, such as acts of terrorism or sabotage. These acts could result in adverse health consequences and death, and economic disruption of the food supply.

Participants will gain expertise in applying the FDA's three key elements of vulnerability assessment, learning about the different methods employed in determining the overall vulnerability of a food operation and identifying actionable process steps.

This comprehensive curriculum not only equip the participants with the tools to meet the regulatory requirements outlined in the FSMA Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (IA) regulation (21 CFR Part 121) but also positions them as a "food defense qualified individual."

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an official FSPCA certificate.

This course is ideal for members of domestic and foreign companies (food exporters) that are required to register with the FDA as food facilities and must comply with the IA Rule:

• Food safety managers and professionals
• Auditors
• Quality assurance and control personnel
• Security officers in the food industry
• Regulatory affairs professionals
• Anyone responsible for conducting vulnerability assessment, and for developing and implementing food defense plans

Two potential methods can be used to conduct vulnerability assessement, 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.

By completing this course, you will:

• Gain an insight into the FSMA IA regulation requirements.
• Learn conducting vulnerability assessments that align with the IA rule requirements.
• Acquire the different methods used to evaluate the impact of intentional adulteration on public health, the degree of physical access to product and the ability of an attacker to successfully contaminate product.
• Learn to identify Actionable Process Steps
• Acquire knowledge on the tools to develop mitigation strategies for food protection.
• Improve the food defense plan to ensure it meets the FDA requirements and expectations.

Click here to check the course agenda: FSPCA_FORM_0075_IAVA Participant Course Agenda for Participants_2019 05 13

This is a participant-driven course that combines expert instruction with practical exercises. The course is offered in a variety of formats to suit your needs:

• In-person Workshops: Interactive, hands-on sessions.
• Online Live Sessions: Flexible web-based learning approach on ZOOM, applying the same curriculum and group interactions with real-time instructor support and long standing expertise in providing web-based FSPCA workshops

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive an official certificate from the Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance signed by AFDO (US Association of Food & Drug Officials) by IFSH (Institute for Food Safety & Health) and IFPTI (International Food Protection Institute).