Do you think you're ready to increase your food safety standards and take your safe food production to the next level? First, you must step into a world of crucial regulations and transformative practices with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). But what is this law about?
FSMA: What are we talking about?
The Food Safety Modernization Act represents a momentous reform in food safety regulations, as it is considered the most significant one in more than seventy years. Signed in 2011, this law directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change its approach. The goal is to shift from reacting to pollution incidents to establishing preventive measures to avoid them. For this reason, it is a vital part of food science (LaBorde, 2023).
FDA Proposed Ground Rules
With this law, the FDA implemented the following key regulations:
- First, carrying out preventive controls to identify and address potential food safety risks in food intended for humans.
- Second, establishing requirements to prevent food contamination intended for animal consumption.
- Next, performing controls to reduce the risk of foodborne illness associated with fresh produce.
- Requiring importers to conduct risk assessments and verifications to meet U.S. standards.
- Establishing requirements for safety during food transport, including hygiene practices, temperature monitoring, and record keeping.
- Then, improving the accuracy of food allergen labeling to help people with food allergies make informed choices about their options.
- Lastly, protecting the food supply chain from intentional contamination activities.
FSMA: Why is it important?
The FSMA is an essential regulation to ensure food safety in the US market. Here are some reasons why it is vitally important for you to consider it:
- It prioritizes the prevention of food safety issues as it requires measures such as controls, monitoring, and risk analysis.
- It offers transparency in the supply chain by facilitating the identification and rapid response to problems that may arise.
- FDA conducts regular inspections of food facilities to verify compliance with health standards. Therefore, manufacturers must guarantee the safety of their products and carry out preventive controls. This includes commodity trading.
- Also, imported food must meet U.S. food safety standards before entering the country.
What to keep in mind
Companies operating in the food industry must consider several important aspects regarding this law. These included:
- Ensuring compliance with established regulations.
- Developing and implementing effective preventive controls at all stages of food production, processing, and distribution.
- Providing adequate training to all personnel involved to ensure compliance with the law.
- Carrying out continuous monitoring and verifications to ensure the effectiveness of what has been executed.
Finally, we would like to invite you to delve into the FSMA and implement it in your company. After all, compliance with these regulations ensures the safety and quality of your products, strengthens consumer confidence, and contributes to overall well-being. Take action now to protect public health and promote excellence in the food industry!
References
FDA. (2020, July 27). FSMA Training. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-training
FDA. (2024, February 5). Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma
LaBorde, L. (2023, 13 de marzo). Entendiendo FSMA: Norma de Inocuidad de los Productos Agrícolas Frescos. PennState Extension. https://extension.psu.edu/entendiendo-fsma-norma-de-inocuidad-de-los-productos-agricolas-frescos