FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act
News Date January 24, 2012
As a result of the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the FDA has been focused on getting the foundational rules needed for the program published. The FDA has five foundational rules in the queue to be published. The rules will go through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, which is a routine part of the rule approval process.
The FSMA rules include a preventative control rule for human food facilities and animal feed facilities; a produce safety rule, which would set standards for growing practices on the farm; a foreign supplier verification proposed rule, which would ensure that foods offered for import are being produced under same standards; and a rule to establish an accredited third-party certification process.
Michael Taylor, the Deputy Commissioner for Food Programs at FDA, noted that FSMA recognizes the importance of the institutional issues between the states and FDA. He also mentioned that FSMA recognizes the need to define and support state capacity, so FDA can leverage state resources. He recognizes that an ongoing challenge will be the procurement of additional resources. For more information, click here. (Staff Contact: Bob Ehart)