The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) most comprehensive reform of food safety regulation.  The full Act can be found here.  The FDA’s main goal is to make food safer through every step of the process, starting at farms.  Imported food is also covered under FSMA, which makes sense as imported food now accounts for approximately 15% of food consumption in the U.S.  Rather than focusing on the inspection and response to contamination, the goal of the FSMA is to prevent contamination.  Diaz Trade Law covered the changes on June 11, 2015 here.

President Obama signed the FSMA into law on January 4, 2011.  FSMA will be implemented slowly in a staggered manner and will be fully implemented by the end of 2017.  Implementation varies based on the particular food, company size, and situation, since the FSMA applies to such a broad category.  Diaz Trade Law can assist you in learning the basic requirements for FDA regulated products here.

Companies affected by the FSMA will be any company in the food supply chain.  Any company that imports, distributes, grows, produces, packages, transports or sells any type of food must be compliant.  The company that owns the food is the company responsible for creating a food safety plan.  That means that companies that store, carry, or transport the food do not need a food safety plan, but they still must be FSMA compliant.

Diaz Trade Law has compiled 3 top tips to successfully follow the FSMA:

  1. Identify Risks by Adhering to a Food Safety Plan.
    • A food safety plan is essential to the FSMA. It must be created carefully with strict guidelines, and be regularly updated.  While creating a food safety plan, your team should go through the process from start to finish, and identify any areas where something can be potentially hazardous.  Apply these risks to the food safety plan.
  2. Implement and Monitor Preventative Measures.
    • Make sure each risk in your food safety plan has a corresponding preventative measure. Ways to remove or lessen the risk to food safety should be carefully monitored, such as monitoring control technology.   Another way to monitor your preventative measures is to provide continuous training to your employees.
  3. Keep Records
    • Keep documentation of your food safety plan and training schedules. You want to be ready in case your company is subject to an audit!

Compliance with FSMA can be complicated and exacting. You’ll need to ensure you have an expert by your side to assist you through the process.  Diaz Trade Law specializes in compliance with the FDA and other regulatory government agencies – Call 305-456-3830 or email info@diaztradelaw.com today for a consultation!  Visit www.diaztradelaw.com for more information.

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