The Greenfield Board of Health is considering aligning the city’s inspection system with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program. This program sets a national standard for risk-based food safety, inspection, and enforcement, determining the number of annual inspections based on the risk level of each business.
New health director Michael Theroux explained that lower-risk businesses would only require one inspection per year, while higher-risk establishments would need two inspections annually. However, this idea is still in the early stages of discussion and research, as state law currently requires municipalities to conduct two inspections per year.
Board of Health Chairman Glen Ayers expressed interest in revisiting the federal program, which Greenfield had pursued about 10 years ago but abandoned due to leadership changes. Ayers emphasized the importance of building community confidence in the food inspection program and focusing on overall results rather than individual violations.
Ayers also highlighted the council’s past success in securing funding to improve food inspection and education programs, noting that Theroux’s expertise in food safety will benefit the city. The potential alignment with the FDA program could enhance Greenfield’s food safety measures and ensure compliance with national standards.
Overall, the Board of Health’s exploration of the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program reflects a commitment to improving public health and food safety in Greenfield. Further research and discussion will be necessary to determine the feasibility and benefits of implementing this program in the city.
