National Curriculum Standard: Animal Food

IFPTI continued to complete the buildout of the National Curriculum Standard (NCS), which is a foundational element of the National Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (NRLTS) for human and animal food regulators. The NCS sets forth the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) needed by regulators for successful job performance across all jurisdictions.

During the week of February 27, 2024, IFPTI facilitated an in-person subject matter expert working group in Little Rock, AR, focusing on the Animal Food component of the NCS. The working group represented FDA, state regulatory agencies, and AFDO.

During the meeting, the working group reviewed and validated the Basic Level competencies and behavioral anchors for animal food regulatory professionals covering topics such as Animal Nutrition, BSE (Mad Cow) Inspections, and Medicated Animal Food. The working group will meet again this June to review and validate Advanced Level competencies and behavioral anchors.

Members of the Animal Food NCS working group, from left to right:

Joshua Schafer (FDA), Kevin Klommhaus (FDA), Suzanne Crotty (FDA), Shannon Jordre (FDA), Blythe Freihage (Missouri Department of Agriculture), Jacob Fleig (AFDO), Vianca Philpotts (Washington State Department of Agriculture), Jim True (University of Kentucky), Kelli Younker (New Mexico Department of Agriculture), and Chris Weiss (IFPTI).