# Rhode Island's Strategy to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS)

> **NIH FDA U18** · RHODE ISLAND STATE DEPT OF HEALTH · 2020 · $70,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Title: Rhode Island’s Strategy to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary
National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS)
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Number: RFA-FD-20-012
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) proposes to develop, implement and
improve upon the retail food program to achieve significant conformance with the
Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS). The
program will be based on best practices, and at the end of the one year, there will be
enhanced infrastructure in place that is scientifically driven, efficient, and focused on
food safety hazards. Ultimately, there will be a reduced risk of foodborne illness and
public health will be protected.
The Compliance Evaluation Standardization Officer in the Center for Food Protection
(CFP) will be responsible for managing the VNRFRPS under the direction of the
Principal Investigator and ensure progress towards conformance with the nine elements
of the national retail standards. The CFP Chief of Retail and Compliance Evaluation
Standardization Officer will approach trainings from diverse roles to ensure that staff are
trained, appropriate resources are obtained and disseminated, and the retail program is
aligned with the FDA philosophy to educate before and while you regulate. Other staff
funded will provide administrative, programmatic, and IT support.
The one-year plan to meet the standards includes ongoing assessment and updates to
the strategic plan based on accomplishments, new developments, and evaluation to
ensure full alignment with the VNRFRPS. There will be ongoing staff and industry
training, development of diverse outreach and training materials, amended policies and
protocols, improved analysis and management of data, progress reports, and
collaboration within and outside the department, and a continuous quality improvement
program that is sustainable at the end of the project.
RI will share access to CFP website hyperlinks and food safety developed videos and
other educational materials while enhancing consistency with National Standards. The
State intends to support FDA in this endeavor and will have a positive impact on public
health and the reduction of foodborne illness in and out of state.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10128854
- **Project number:** 1U18FD007012-01
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND STATE DEPT OF HEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Ernest Maurice Julian
- **Activity code:** U18 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $70,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10128854

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10128854, Rhode Island's Strategy to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) (1U18FD007012-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10128854. Licensed CC0.

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