Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1194330
I t has been eight years since Congress passed the sweeping Food Safety Modernization Act. All the regulations are now in effect, even for small and very small businesses. There are significant activities taking place. These were detailed at the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance Annual Conference, which took place in Chicago in October. Douglas Stern, deputy director of regulatory affairs for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, keynoted the conference. He said, "We have made substantial advances through FSMA, but we have not won the battle against foodborne illness." He added that the new role given to importers through the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and FDA's increased reliance on its state regulatory partners are important strides forward but there is still much to be accomplished. FSMA and FSVP Inspections Skyrocket The most anticipated presentation was from Glenn Bass, program deputy director, Human and Animal Food-West, Office of Regulatory Affairs. Bass serves as agency focal point in coordinating, directing, and assisting the field and headquarters offices with investigative food activities. In other words, he is in charge of FDA facility inspections. Bass gave an overview of FSMA implementation from 2011 on. The regulations fell under the umbrellas of: Modernization • Preventive controls (built on HACCP principles) • Updated GMPs • Food defense plans • Produce safety standards Accountability • Greatly increased records access by FDA • More emphasis on recordkeeping and supporting information • Supply chain management of domestic and foreign suppliers • Re-inspection fees Oversight • More frequent government inspections, both in the U.S. and internationally • FDA authority to suspend registration (shutting down operations) and require recalls Since 2017, FSMA-related inspections have increased nearly tenfold. Here is some of the data: FSMA Update BY RON TANNER Throughout the first five years of FSMA, the FDA's rallying call was "Educate before we regulate." It has now changed to "Regulate while we educate." SPECIALTY FOOD SPECIALTYFOOD.COM SPECIALTY FOOD MAKER