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Retail Program Standards Symposium

Retail Program Standards Symposium (RPSS) is just around the corner! The Symposium supports and educates retail food safety jurisdictions at state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) levels, whether just beginning with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards) or maintaining conformance with them. This year's Symposium focuses on “Progress in Motion”, providing practical, FDA-aligned insights on advancing Retail Food Program Standards through sessions with national experts and peers.

Symposium Details

  • Dates: April 20 - 22, 2026
  • Free, virtual event
  • Registration is now open!

Register hereSymposium AgendaSymposium Speakers

Kick off the Symposium at 12 PM ET on Monday, April 20 with keynote speakers Erik Mettler, FDA Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Food Safety Systems, and Andre Pierce, Director of the FDA Office of Retail Food Protection Implementation. Hear their insights on the future of retail food safety.

Erik Mettler, MPA, MPH, FDA Assistant Commissioner for Integrated Food Safety Systems, whose work strengthens federal–state–local partnerships and advances a unified national food safety system.

Andre Pierce, MPA, REHS, Director of FDA's Office of Retail Food Protection Implementation, a longtime environmental health leader known for translating practice‑based experience into tools and strategies jurisdictions can use immediately.

Join FDA leadership, national experts and retail food industry peers for three days of learning, collaboration, and discussion focused on progress, problem-solving, and continuous improvement in Retail Program Standards.

What You Will Gain:

By attending, you will gain:

  • Guidance on developing a foodborne illness outbreak tabletop exercise
  • Support for building and sustaining a Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP)
  • Resources to help you understand and meet the Retail Program Standards

  • Valuable insights from experts at the FDA, state and local regulatory agencies, the retail food industry, CFP Program Standards Committee members, and leaders from the NEHA–NACCHO Mentorship Program

This three-day symposium is presented by the NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program in collaboration with the Conference for Food Protection and funded by FDA under award 3U19FD008288.

Recordings & Continuing Education

2024 Symposium