HACCP Classes Accredited by the International HACCP Alliance |
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TJH Consulting, LLC
Thomas J. Hoffman, President
617 Woodsmans Way
Crownsville, MD 2103
Telephone (410) 266-3332
Fax (410) 573-1784
Cell phone (410) 693-2815
tjhconsult@cs.com
www.tjhconsulting.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
International Food Safety Consultant with over 40-years of
experience. Strong knowledge of the laws and regulations associated with an
inspection and enforcement program for meat, poultry and food products from working
at the Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of
Agriculture for 35 years. Particularly effective providing consulting services
dealing with:
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Performing audits of foreign
countries inspection and enforcement programs.
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Performing Sanitary and
Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) monitoring and enforcement systems and practices.
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Conducting mock (pre) and actual
foreign equivalency reviews.
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Developing inspection and
enforcement programs for foreign and state governments.
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Developing and/or re-writing SSOP/HACCP
plans.
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Conducting third party
SSOP/HACCP audits at foreign and domestic establishments.
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Teaching SSOP/HACCP courses.
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Teaching Generic e-coli/Salmonella/Ante
and Post Mortem Inspection/SPS/Residues/
PBIS/ Pathogen
reduction/Zero Tolerance
for Fecal/etc.
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Criminal, civil and
administrative cases.
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SSOP/HACCP system
failures.
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Criminal, civil and
administrative cases.
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SSOP/HACCP system
failures.
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Inspection
issues.
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Appeal of non-compliance
records.
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Responding to FSIS 3 day and 30
day letters.
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EIAO Assessments.
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Notices of Intended Enforcement
Action.
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Notices of Suspension.
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Incident Investigation Team
Reviews.
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Expert witness.
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Product recalls.
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Development and implementation
of
training and safety
programs.
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Teaching courses on Personal
Safety.
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ISO 22000 consultant.
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Primus labs produce audits.
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CAREER
HISTORY
Thomas J. Hoffman, President, TJH Consulting, LLC, 2002-present
- Food Safety Consultant for
Chemonics/The Services Group (TSG) as a SPS Expert (Sector Specialist,
Level 1) for a 19-day assignment to conduct a detailed assessment of SPS
control in Azerbaijan, develop an action plan for SPS modernization and
revise SPS activities in the Trade and Investment Reform Support Program
(TIRSP) work plan.
- Guest speaker at American Meat Institute’s ‘World Wide
Food Expo” in Chicago, Illinois. Conducted a workshop on “FSIS Criminal
and Enforcement Actions.”
- Developed entire Food Safety System for a new hamburger
plant coming under USDA/FSIS inspection. Implemented all NAMP Best
Practices concerning E coli 0157:H7 including fifteen (15) minute lotting
and sampling; as well as, anti-microbial interventions.
- Taught Basic HACCP Course in Moonachie, New Jersey.
- Conducted reassessments of several cattle slaughter and
beef processing plants in accordance with FSIS Notice 65-07 regarding E
coli 0157:H7. Re-wrote HACCP plans and Pre-requisite programs in
accordance with NAMP Best Practices.
- USDA Cochran Study Tour Program Trip Leader for three
government officials from Algeria and Morocco. Planned and organized a two
week trip to Texas to visit various food processing plants, as well as,
the Port of Houston, a food distribution facility, produce packing houses,
a laboratory, etc. Also, taught courses on Imports, Exports, Equivalence,
HACCP, SPS, SSOP, Generic E coli, and Salmonella. Escorted the
officials to various meetings with USDA/FSIS in Washington, DC.
- Recently conducted an Independent Third Party Audit of a
Broccoli Packinghouse for Primus Labs.
- In July 2007, conducted an Independent Third Party Audit
of a meat plant under Consent Order with USDA/FSIS.
- In July 2007, conducted an Independent Third Party Audit
of a Blueberry Storage Facility for Primus Labs.
- Recently reviewed and edited the new “Meat Decree” and a
new regulation for Salmonella sampling for beef for the country of
Colombia.
- Taught Advanced HACCP Training to 32 French government and
plant officials in Paris, France June 25-29, 2007.
- Member of the design team for the largest cattle and hog
slaughter plant in Bogotá, Colombia. Attended the first of several
meetings on June 19 and 20, 2007, to assist the architects and engineers
with the design and construction of two new $6,000.000 slaughter and processing
plants.
- Obtained lead instructor certification to teach Advanced
HACCP from the International HACCP Alliance on May 17, 2007.
- Recently traveled to Barranquilla, Colombia and conducted an independent third party audit at a large cattle kill to determine what
systems need improved to obtain certification to export boneless beef to
the United States. Made a number of recommendations and reported my
findings to USAID officials. Traveled to Bogotá, Colombia and met with UAAID officials to report my findings from Barranquilla. Also met with FENAVI
which is the Trade Association involved with the poultry industry in Colombia. Answered a number of questions regarding the US model for Poultry Inspection.
- Conducted an Independent Third Party Audit at a cow slaughterhouse
under Consent Order with USDA/FSIS. Submitted my final report to USDA/FSIS
for review.
- Recently taught a Basic HACCP Course in Pennsylvania as a
lead HACCP Instructor certified by the International HACCP Alliance in
accordance with 9 CFR 417.7.
- Traveled to the country of Columbia several times in 2005
- 2007 under contract with US AID and The Services Group to provide
guidance and input regarding the equivalence process to obtain approval
from USDA/FSIS to export beef to the United States. Met with US AID
officials at the US Embassy, including the Agricultural Attaché, to share
my observations and recommendations on how to proceed with the project. I
am the lead consultant on the “Meat Project” and am currently assisting
INVIMA with the entire equivalence process, including new laws,
regulations, directives, notices, training programs, etc. to comply with
USDA/FSIS requirements for SSOP/HACCP/ Pathogen Reduction/ BSE/ PBIS/
Residues/Zero Tolerance for Fecal, etc.
- Conducted assessments at several large
slaughterhouses/processing plants in Colombia in 2006 & 2007 under
contract with US AID and The Services Group. Provided recommendations for
improvement to meet USDA/FSIS equivalence requirements that will enable
the firms to export frozen boneless beef to the United States.
- Conducted several seminars in Colombia in 2006 & 2007
for 150 government and plant officials on topics ranging from SPS/HACCP/E
coli and Salmonella sampling/zero tolerance for fecal/laws and
regulations/exports and imports/ante-mortem and post mortem inspection/
plant construction and sanitary design/BSE/ E coli 0157:H7/PBIS/HACCP
verification/ PBIS/etc.
- Conducted an audit at a large cattle kill in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 2006 to determine what systems need improved to obtain certification
to export boneless beef to the United States. Made a number of
recommendations and re-wrote their SPS/SSOP/HACCP/Pre-requisite
Programs/Forms/ etc.
- Taught HACCP in Paris, France to 30 government and plant
officials in 2006.
- Conducted an independent third party audit at the largest
canning plant in France. Made recommendations so the firm can be
recertified to export pate to the United States. Rewrote 27 HACCP plans;
SSOP; SPS; forms; supporting documentation; etc. The firm had been
de-listed for export to the United States by USDA/FSIS.
- Taught HACCP in Bogotá, Columbia the week of November 7,
2005 to forty government representatives from the five Andean countries
under contract with USDA’s FAS.
- Lead Instructor at the Animal Inspection Quarantine
Workshop in Lima, Peru on September 5-9, 2005 under a contract with
USDA’s/FAS. Taught courses in Beef Slaughter Practices, E. coli and
Salmonella Sampling and Zero Tolerance for Fecal. Also, taught
Bio-security, Egg Products, and Import and Export Inspection Practices.
There were representatives from the five Andean Countries in attendance.
- Taught a course on SSOP/HACCP to 25 French Government and
Company Quality Control Officials.
- Audited Mexico’s organizational structure and government
oversight activities under a contract with USDA’s/FSIS. Provided
recommendations for improvement. Mexico has implemented the US system for SSOP/HACCP verification known as PBIS.
- Taught a course on SSOP/HACCP verification based on the U.S. model to 50 Mexican government officials.
- Conducted audits of the food safety systems at four large
beef slaughterhouses in Mexico to prepare them for audits by the U.S.
Rewrote the company’s SSOP/HACCP plans and prerequisite programs including
BSE.
- Conducted an audit of the food safety systems at several
meat processing plants in Mexico to prepare them for an audit by the U.S. on behalf of the US Meat Export Federation.
- Taught a course on SSOP/HACCP verification based on the U.S. model to 35 Mexican government officials on behalf of The United Status-Mexico
Foundation for Science.
- Taught a course on SSOP/HACCP verification to 35
Serbia/Montenegro government and company officials on behalf of USDA’s
Foreign Agriculture Service.
- Conducted three Independent Third Party Audits in 2006 at
a cow slaughterhouse under Consent Order with USDA/FSIS.
- Conducted a review in 2006 of a very large salvage
warehouse under criminal investigation by USDA/FSIS for rodent
infestation. Provided recommendations to solve the rodent problem.
- Assisted a large federally inspected Kosher poultry
slaughter/processing plant prepare a Plan of Action and Response to a
USDA/FSIS NOIE for SSOP/SPS failures; HACCP design and execution failures;
numerous facility problems; and recordkeeping deficiencies for corrective
action. Provided input on the reassessment and revision of their
SPS/SSOP/HACCP plans.
- Guest speaker at the AMI Innovation Showcase Convention on
October 1, 2004. The lecture was entitled “Regulatory Response: Get it
Right the First Time.”
- Obtained lead instructor certification to teach SSOP/HACCP
from the International HACCP Alliance on November 15, 2004.
- Developed new and/or have re-written approximately 50
SSOP/HACCP/Pre-requisite Programs for foreign and domestic meat and
poultry plants.
- Developed and obtained a copyright for a personal safety
training program entitled “Situational Planning.” Trained 2,500 Food and
Drug Administration employees in 2002-2005.
- Retained by some of the largest law firms in the country
that specialize in white-collar crime involving food related violations.
- Conducted an investigation and an on-site inspection to
gather facts and information regarding a possible rodent infestation at
a large freezer distribution company. Conducted research and developed a
plan for re-inspection that was a precedent in the industry. Reviewed
documents and provided expert advice. Presented results of the
investigation to the U.S. Attorney.
- Testified as an expert witness at a bankruptcy proceeding
involving an inventory of meat and poultry products adulterated by
rodents.
- Assisted a Federally inspected plant prepare for an IDV
review by FSIS for: failing a second set for Salmonella testing;
receiving an NOIE for SSOP failures; receiving a second NOIE for HACCP
execution failures; and having numerous facility problems. Provided input
on the reassessment of their SSOP/HACCP plans and identified numerous
facility issues that resulted in $600,000 in improvements being made in a
two month time period. The plant passed the IDV review.
- Reviewed approximately 1,000 pages of documents including
depositions, petitions, etc. in a law suit involving botulism poisoning
from the consumption of a meat food product. Scheduled to testify in court
as an expert witness.
- Conducted an independent inquiry for a large food
distribution company that was being investigated by USDA/FSIS for a
possible criminal violation. Participated in the interview of the
attorney’s clients by USDA Compliance Officers. Wrote the memorandums of
interview.
- Worked through a Washington, DC law firm concerning a
large cow kill that was under suspension by USDA/FSIS and was scheduled
for hearing. Rewrote their SSOP/SPS/HACCP and prerequisite programs. Was
able to get the plant back in operation under a Consent Order.
USDA/FSIS - Deputy Director, Systems and Planning, Compliance and
Investigations Division, 1999-2002
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Managed seven employees in Systems
and Planning, Washington, D.C., and was responsible for foreign reviews,
training, safety and new systems design and implementation.
- Participated in a team
system review of Canada’s, Australia’s and Mexico's inspection and
enforcement program. Developed a protocol and conducted audits of each
countries enforcement program.
- Collaborated on the review
of the equivalency questionnaires for Slovenia, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
- Advised FSIS foreign
reviewers on enforcement issues, prior to and after, conducting annual
audits.
- Instructed over 100 foreign
inspection officials on the United States enforcement model at the FSIS
training center at Texas A&M University. Taught courses on the FSIS
Rules of Practice and SSOP/HACCP enforcement systems. Conducted a
workshop on a SSOP system failure for fecal contamination.
- Served as the Agency
coordinator at Sam Houston State University for a two-week basic and a
two-week advanced compliance officer-training course. Trained compliance
officers on the Acts and case documentation.
- Directed the development
and implementation of the first safety course for compliance
officers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Artesia, New Mexico, in response to the California shootings. A pilot course was
conducted in conjunction with the Department of Transportation. Designed
courses in self-defense, defensive driving and adversarial interviewing
techniques.
- Headed the redesign and
conversion of the compliance officer training courses from Sam Houston State University to the FLETC.
- Developed safety tips for
compliance officers.
USDA/FSIS
- Director, Deputy Director, Branch Chief, Officer in Charge, Program
Manager, 1987-1999
- Managed a staff of twenty people
as the director and deputy director of the Evaluation and Enforcement Division
(EED), Washington, D. C., who enforced the laws and regulations associated with
an inspection and compliance program. As the officer - in - charge in Moorestown, New Jersey, I managed thirty compliance officers to assure they uniformly
implemented enforcement policies in a thirteen State area. While Branch Chief
and Program Manager, EED, Washington, D. C., I managed eight employees and was
responsible for criminal, civil, and administrative case review
- Managed the review,
analysis and processing of over 500 criminal cases, 50 injunctions and 120
administrative actions. Worked closely with USDA Office of General
Counsel Attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Defense Attorneys to
litigate these cases.
- Implemented a number of
innovative investigative techniques, such as team investigations by
compliance officers of alleged criminal violations.
- Participated in the
negotiation of over 40 Consent Orders.
- Headed field investigations
of complex unfitness and administrative cases. Attended administrative
hearings and briefed witnesses.
- Subject Matter Expert on
the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act and
Administrative Rules of Practice and Procedures.
- Used as an expert witness
in criminal cases by Assistant U.S. Attorney's.
- Developed and implemented
the first ever team reviews at federally inspected establishments
and custom plants for sanitation problems. This system is used to
document Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) and Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System failures.
- Team leader at headquarters
for 25 SSOP/HACCP system failure cases.
USDA/FSIS
- Food Inspector, Program Assistant, Compliiance Officer,
Compliance
Specialist, 1967-1987
- Acquired knowledge of
inspection regulations and procedures as a food inspector in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C. Strong background in product formulation,
processing and labeling of meat and poultry products.
- Coordinated activities for
processing inspection and imports for the entire state of New Jersey as the program assistant in Trenton, New Jersey.
- Conducted independent
inquiries into alleged violations of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and
the Poultry Products Inspection Act as a compliance officer in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania. Detected, investigated and documented several cases
which Assistant U.S. Attorneys prosecuted.
- Reviewed criminal, civil
and administrative case files as a compliance specialist in the Evaluation
and Enforcement Division, Washington, D.C. Developed expertise on the
content of the Acts and the evidence that is needed to successfully
litigate criminal, civil and administrative cases.
- Provided guidance and
direction to approximately 100 field compliance officers and managers as a
compliance specialist in the Field Operations Division, Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION
Food Technology Certification
(30 Credit Hours),
Kansas State University and Mississippi State University, 1990
Masters of Public
Administration, Administrative Law
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 1987
Bachelor of Science Degree,
Business Management
Trenton State College, Trenton, NJ, 1978
AWARDS
Received 4 Awards from 1999-2001
that were issued at the “Departmental” level by USDA.

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