Texas Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards Maintenance and Mutual Reliance - Abstract: Texas Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards Maintenance and Mutual Reliance The Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) is the designated state agency that oversees the regulation of animal feed including sample analysis. Specifically, OTSC is comprised of the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service (FFCS) which is the regulatory agency and the Agricultural Analytical Service (AAS) which analyzes regulatory samples for FFCS and the Food and Drug Administration. During the past 5 years, OTSC maintained the eleven standards, maintained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation, improved and updated its document management system and is utilizing the system for AFRPS implementation. During the next 3 years, OTSC will participate in regularly schedule meetings, participate in collaborative regulatory activities with FDA and state animal food regulatory programs. Maintain implementation with the current AFRPS, will participate in scheduled assessments by the FDA Audit Staff of the AFRPS, provide meeting space and accessibility of staff and access to records, databases, and other materials that support the implementation of the AFRPS. OTSC will contribute to the continuous improvement of the AFRPS through attendance at an annual face-to-face meeting and actively participate in these and other exchanges. OTSC will integrate AFRPS with its LFFM program involving analyzing samples within its ISO 17025-2017 scope, achieve compliance with violative samples using AFRPS procedures and collaborate with FDA and other states in this process. OTSC is not currently part of the RRT program funded by FDA but continues to participate in this program and to the extent practicable, will utilize RRT procedures and methods for activation of the RRT. OTSC will use the necessary regulatory and compliance response infrastructure to investigate and respond to violative samples, including qualified personnel, IT resources, and regulatory authorities. OTSC will perform an annual estimate of the capacities and capabilities for animal food sample collection and analysis for chemical and microbiological hazards for emergency response, surveillance and compliance efforts. OTSC will expand the number of qualified field investigators who can perform comprehensive inspections as a participant in the mutual reliance program and will move to phase 3 of performing inspection audits. OTSC will participate with FDA in the planning of state audits performed by qualified investigates who will perform comprehensive inspections based on risk and inspection frequency in conjunction with planning FDA contract audits. This activity will include sharing facility inventories, provide date involving state audits and follow the Compliance Program Guidance Manual (CPRM (7371.000). State inspections may involve investigating SAHCODHA hazards based on data such as recalls, complaints, and Reportable Food Registry reports, outbreaks and other information. OTSC has a current 20.88 Agreement signed by Debra A. Cummings May 10, 2024.
