FSMA Overview
A regulatory-driven shift from responding to contamination to preventing it
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. FDA FSMA includes preventive controls for Human Food and Animal Food, contains specific requirements for Foreign Supplier Verification, Importers and identification of FSMA Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals PCQI training just to name a few.
Food Safety Modernization Act Summary
FSMA, Foreign Supplier Verification and Training
FSMA gives the FDA authority for the first time to ensure that imported products meet U.S. standards and are safe for U.S. consumers, and specific requirements are in place for Foreign Supplier Verification.
GFSI Recognized Certification – FSSC 22000 and BRC Food
It is important for organizations impacted under FDA FSMA – as well as their suppliers – to obtain certification to a GFSI-recognized standard such as FSSC 22000 for Food Manufacturing and Packaging, FSSC 22000 for Animal Food, or the BRC Global Standard for Food in order to help further ensure compliance with FSMA requirements.
HACCP vs HARPC
FSMA introduces requirements beyond HACCP, called Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls or HARPC. HARPC encompasses far more in the way of food safety assessment and control, than a traditional HACCP plan.
The FSMA final rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food and the FSMA final rule for Preventive Controls for Animal Food are now available, and FSMA compliance dates for some businesses began in September 2016.
Preventive Controls Qualified Individual FSMA PCQI Training Course
The FDA has engaged the Illinois Institute of Technology to develop a recognized training course to satisfy the requirements around the PC Qualified Individual, including gaining a full understanding of the regulations around the Preventative Controls for Human Food. LRQA offers the FDA-recognized FSPCA Preventive Controls for Human Food FSMA PCQI training course in both public and on-site settings.
LRQA’s FSMA, foreign supplier verification and training services