Which option describes the proper process for appealing a noncompliance record (NR) issued by a CSI?

• A. Submit a written letter to the District Manager
• B. Appeal directly to the Appeals Officer in the Office of the Administrator
• C. Submit appeals following the OFO chain of command
• D. Establishments may appeal only NR related to food safety

Answer: (C)

Appeals must go through the Office of Field Operations (OFO) chain of command. This formal path ensures the noncompliance record is reviewed by the correct offices in an orderly, documented way, with the right authority handling the case and timely communication through the established steps. Following the OFO chain of command also preserves the integrity of the process, provides a clear trail, and positions the appeal for a proper decision.

Taking the appeal directly to a District Manager bypasses the official route and can delay or complicate review. Going straight to the Appeals Officer in the Office of the Administrator skips the necessary field-level review and coordination that precedes higher-level consideration. The notion that only NR related to food safety can be appealed isn’t aligned with how the process is structured, since the appeal pathway is defined through OFO for the applicable NR issues, not limited by scope in that way.