Funding retail food safety is crucial for public health, economic stability and workforce resilience

— OPINION —

Retail food safety is a critical component of the nation’s public health infrastructure and serves as the last checkpoint before food reaches consumers. Here, federal support for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) jurisdictions plays a significant role in preventing foodborne illnesses and safeguarding the food supply. Programs like the National Environmental Health Association – Food and Drug Administration (NEHA-FDA) Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) are examples of how targeted federal investments empower local agencies to modernize food safety practices and protect communities from foodborne illness risks (FDA, 2024a). We argue that federal funding is essential for maintaining public health, economic stability, and workforce resilience—and that this support must be strengthened.

Retail food safety: A public health imperative
Each year, foodborne illnesses impact the lives of millions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2018) estimates that 48 million people in the U.S. experience foodborne illnesses annually, resulting in more than 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Beyond the toll on public health, these illnesses cost the U.S. economy more than $15.6 billion annually, accounting for healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and long-term impacts on those people affected (Economic Research Service, 2015). Retail establishments—where food is handled, prepared, and served—are frequent points of contamination causing these illnesses and thus key areas for intervention by SLTT agencies.

Federal funding programs like the RFFM enable these agencies to address these challenges effectively. With grants averaging around $32,000 per jurisdiction, the RFFM has supported more than 1,350 food safety projects nationwide in the past 3 years (FDA, 2024a). These grants allow SLTT jurisdictions to implement standardized inspection protocols, adopt crucial inspection technology, and make food safety training accessible to all regulatory staff. Such investments translate into substantial improvements, as seen in Minnesota, where federal funding enabled the development of an efficient food safety complaint system. Similarly, Colorado used RFFM funds to establish a statewide inspection software that improved data-sharing and consistency across health departments.

These success stories illustrate the value of federal funding in reducing administrative inefficiencies and fostering uniformity, which empowers SLTT agencies to enhance food safety. Without sustained support, these advancements are at risk as local jurisdictions often lack the budgetary flexibility to maintain these improvements independently.

Small investments, big impacts: How federal funding transforms food safety
The success of the RFFM program demonstrates how federal investments can drive transformative improvements at the local level. The program’s $22.8 million allocation across more than 1,350 projects highlights the reach and impact of strategic funding. These funds allow SLTT agencies to purchase essential tools, including remote temperature sensors, thermometers, and testing kits, which enhance the accuracy and efficiency of inspections. Such tools and purchases align with FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety, creating a technology-enabled food safety framework designed to prevent risks before they affect consumers (FDA, 2024a).

The program’s impact is particularly evident in compliance with the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards. These standards offer a structured framework to help jurisdictions protect public health through consistent food safety practices across nine key areas, such as regulatory foundation, training, inspection, risk identification, and data management. Funded jurisdictions use the resources to meet strict compliance benchmarks, building stronger data systems and inspector capabilities for a safer food supply. In contrast, non-funded jurisdictions can face challenges pursuing these benchmarks, highlighting the need for federal support to promote equitable food safety standards nationwide.

Jurisdictions that received RFFM funding have shown compliance rates of 78–80% in meeting these key food safety standards, compared to only 20–22% in non-funded jurisdictions. This significant difference underscores how federal support enables SLTT agencies to make meaningful progress in meeting the standards. For example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that the RFFM grant allowed it to achieve “greater uniformity within our data system across local jurisdictions,” which supports further conformance with the Retail Program Standards (FDA, 2024a). This enhanced conformance with the standards ultimately strengthens food safety measures, reducing risks and keeping the public safer from foodborne illnesses.

Federal funding aligns state, local, tribal, and territorial food safety efforts
Federal investment programs like the RFFM not only help local agencies meet high food safety standards but also align SLTT jurisdictions with national food safety priorities, as outlined in FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Human Foods Program Priority Deliverables (FDA, 2024a, 2024b; Lovells & Akah, 2024). These frameworks promote preventive, tech-driven approaches to food safety that leverage data analytics to identify and mitigate risks. For example, through the 2024 Retail Program Standards Symposium, the RFFM delivered nearly 6,000 hours of training to over 900 participants, covering advanced topics such as risk-based inspection techniques and predictive analytics (NEHA, 2024). This event aligns directly with the FDA’s vision of a food safety system that anticipates risks before they occur, while demonstrating exceptional cost efficiency, with training delivered at around $35 per contact hour—far below typical conference costs of $250–$350 per hour.

By progressing through a structured approach—from self-assessment to standards work and capacity building—the RFFM investment model supports SLTT agencies in developing sustainable practices that align with national standards. If funding were cut, agencies might struggle to maintain alignment with national standards, risking fragmentation in food safety practices and weakening the national food safety framework. A lack of funding could also threaten the collaborative networks that expand efforts efficiently by sharing resources and expertise without the full costs burdening each jurisdiction.

Public health and economic benefits of federal investment in food safety
Federal support for retail food safety programs strengthens public health and produces economic benefits by reducing the incidence of costly outbreaks. Proactive investments in food safety reduce the need for reactive measures, such as emergency healthcare and crisis management. With an estimated annual economic burden of $15.6 billion from foodborne illnesses, the return on investment for preventive funding is significant (Economic Research Service, 2015).

In Minnesota, RFFM-funded training programs improved the food safety knowledge scores of inspectors from 3.28 to 4.28 out of 5, equipping 150 inspectors to conduct risk-based inspections focused on prevention. This proactive approach not only boosts public health resilience but also generates considerable cost savings. The RFFM’s administrative assistance further enhances its economic value, streamlining processes for more than 6,350 inquiries related to grants and compliance. This efficiency allows agencies to focus resources on core responsibilities, ensuring that food safety measures remain both economically viable and sustainable.

Supporting vulnerable communities and advancing health equity
Federal funding also plays a crucial role in promoting equity within the food safety system. The RFFM model directs more than 85 percent of its investments to jurisdictions facing significant health disparities. By addressing food safety inequities, federal funding helps protect underserved communities that are at higher risk of foodborne illnesses due to social determinants of health. For instance, the Blue Ridge Health District’s 2022 Risk Factor Study, supported by federal funding, conducted 596 inspections that included underserved areas and resulted in actionable data that allowed local managers to improve food safety practices (Blue Ridge Health District, 2022).

Moreover, inclusive training and outreach programs make food safety courses accessible in multiple languages, empowering diverse food operators and their staff with essential knowledge. Without federal support, these outreach efforts could be compromised, widening health disparities and leaving vulnerable communities unprotected.

Ensuring workforce sustainability for a strong food safety system
With the environmental health workforce facing many retirements, federal funding supports workforce sustainability and succession planning. This funding allows new inspectors to gain vital knowledge while enabling experienced staff to develop leadership skills. It ensures that institutional knowledge is preserved while building a pipeline of skilled professionals equipped to address evolving food safety challenges. Moreover, funding provides dollars and resources for advanced training and data-driven approaches and helps modernize the workforce, aligning it with national priorities and enhancing the overall resilience of public health systems. Without federal support, maintaining this level of operational readiness would be challenging, affecting the ability of SLTT agencies to uphold food safety standards and protect public health.

Consistent, transparent food safety standards benefit businesses
Federal support benefits retail food businesses by providing consistent, transparent regulatory standards. Federal investments in retail food safety promote uniform inspection and training protocols across jurisdictions, which reduces compliance costs and fosters a predictable regulatory environment. For example, recent funding provided for translations of safety resources into languages including Somali and Spanish, which ensures that all operators and staff, regardless of language, can understand and comply with food safety rules (FDA, 2024a). This approach promotes industry-wide compliance, ultimately benefiting public health and the retail food sector alike.

The need for continued federal funding in retail food safety regulatory programs
Federal funding for retail food safety is more than an investment in infrastructure; it is a commitment to public health, economic security, and workforce resilience. Programs like the RFFM demonstrate the transformative impact of federal investments in retail food safety, empowering SLTT agencies to prevent outbreaks, support underserved communities, and build a robust food safety workforce. These efforts align with the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety and the FY 2025 Human Foods Program Priority Deliverables, underscoring a unified approach to food safety that benefits all people in the U.S.

Without federal support, SLTT agencies would face significant challenges in meeting compliance standards, protecting vulnerable communities, and building a resilient workforce. Continued funding is essential to protect public health, reduce economic costs, and ensure that all people in the U.S. have access to safe food.

About the author: Anna Khan, MA, REHS/RS, is president of the National Environmental Health Association. The organization represents more than 7,000 governmental, private, academic, and uniformed services sector environmental health professionals in the U.S., its territories, and internationally.  The association has an 87-year history of advancing environmental health science and practice, and providing training, education, advocacy, and resources for members and partners.  

Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/11/funding-retail-food-safety-is-crucial-for-public-health-economic-stability-and-workforce-resilience/