Please click on the following link for a copy of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS’s) Guidance for School Food Authorities Developing a School Food Safety Program Based on the Process Approach to HACCP Principles. USDA is in the process of mailing copies to all school food authorities (SFAs) within the next couple of weeks.

FNS developed this guidance to help school food authorities (SFAs) comply with the food safety program requirement established by section 111 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265). To comply with the law, SFAs may either implement this guidance or establish and implement their own food safety management system that includes prerequisite programs for operations and sanitation (Standard Operating Procedures) and all of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles before the end of School Year 2005-2006. SFAs that do not use the guidance must consult with us to ensure their food safety program meets all requirements.

We encourage you to start working on your food safety program as soon as possible.

USDA plans to formally implement this guidance via the rulemaking process; however, any food safety management system that includes Standard Operating Procedures and all of the HACCP principles will continue to be permitted.

The guidance provides step-by-step instructions for developing a food safety program based on HACCP principles, and includes a sample plan and prototypes of useful recordkeeping forms. It will help you develop practical and effective food safety programs that meet the needs and capabilities of different types of foodservice operations. The guidance was written with input from State and local officials; food safety regulators; and collaborators from the food safety community.

USDA is doing everything it can to help you succeed in implementing your food safety program. They are working with the National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) to make HACCP training and educational materials available to State agencies and SFAs. They are also working with NFSMI and the Food Safety Inspection Service to ensure that their telephone hotlines are able to answer general questions about HACCP. After SFAs have had operational experience with the HACCP requirement, USDA will assess the need for additional training and materials, and for updating the HACCP guidance.

HACCP Guidance for School Food Authorities

If you have questions about the enclosed guidance or the food safety provision, please contact Maureen Rooney at 518 474-3956 or Elizabeth Lattanzio at 518 473-1525 or Frank Caccamise at 716 821-7350. For general information about HACCP, you may call the hotline at the Food Safety Inspection Service (1-888-MPHotline or 1-888-674-6854) or the NFSMI Help Desk (1-800-321-3054).

Thank you for dedication to the health and safety of the Nation’s school children.