1. Know before you go:

• Identify the differences between your current food code and the Food Code you are working to adopt.
  • Retail Program Standards Standard 1: Side-by-Side Comparison
• What administrative process will you need to follow?
• Identify members of your team and allies who will help from outside.

2. Seek support from:

• Your FDA Retail Food Specialist
• The Collaborative’s Food Code Adoption Toolkit
• Industry and Community Relations
  • See Program Standard 7
• Gather Statements of Support

3. Explain the ‘why’ by writing a justification.

• See 2022 FDA Food Code Annex 3

4. Collaborate! Invite:

• industry and consumer groups,
• local officials,
• boards of health, and
• interested members of the public to be involved.

5. Address concerns.

• Create an economic impact statement.

6. Propose the changes. Provide packaged materials to:

• Boards of Health
• State legislatures
• City, local, state, territorial, or tribal council(s)

7. Be engaged. Attend public meetings or hearings.

1. Seek support from FDA Retail Food Specialists to identify training and answer questions.

2. Create an enforcement and compliance plan and timeline.

• When will the industry be expected to comply?

3. Create a training plan for:

• Your staff
  • Food Code FD112: Food Code Training
  • Food Code Interpretation
• Local industry
  • FoodSHIELD Resources
  • Program Standards Resource Center

4. Inform your community.

• Press releases, social media, news
• Draw connections between Food Code adoption and Retail Program Standard 7: Industry and Community Relations

Last updated: April 21, 2023