Supermarket Perimeter - February 2024 - 26

7 key provisions of FSMA
1. Preventive controls for human and animal food: The
cornerstone of FSMA is its emphasis on preventive controls. The
act mandates that food facilities implement comprehensive food
safety plans that identify potential hazards, implement preventive
measures, monitor effectiveness, and establish corrective actions.
This proactive approach aims to mitigate risks before they
escalate, ensuring the safety of both human and animal food.
2. Inspection and compliance: To enforce the preventive
measures outlined in FSMA, the act grants the FDA enhanced
inspection and compliance powers. The FDA is empowered
to conduct more frequent inspections, focusing on high-risk
facilities. Additionally, FSMA introduces a risk-based inspection
schedule, allowing the FDA to allocate resources efficiently and
target areas of greatest concern.
3. Imported food safety: Recognizing the global nature of the
food supply chain, FSMA introduces stringent measures to
ensure the safety of imported foods. Importers are now required
to verify that their foreign suppliers meet U.S. safety standards.
The act also authorizes the FDA to establish a program for
accrediting third-party auditors to certify foreign facilities,
providing an additional layer of oversight for imported foods.
4. Enhanced response to contamination outbreaks: In the
event of a foodborne illness outbreak, FSMA equips the FDA
with enhanced tools to respond swiftly and effectively. The
agency can now mandate recalls, trace contaminated products
more efficiently, and suspend facilities' registration when
necessary. These measures not only protect public health but also
hold food producers accountable for the safety of their products.
5. Expanded authority to access records: FSMA grants the
FDA expanded authority to access and review records related to food
safety. This includes access to the food safety plans implemented
by facilities, allowing the FDA to assess the adequacy of preventive
measures. By enhancing transparency and accountability, this
provision reinforces the preventive focus of FSMA.
6. Whistleblower protection: To encourage reporting of potential
violations and unsafe practices, FSMA includes provisions to
protect whistleblowers. Individuals who disclose information about
violations are shielded from retaliation, fostering a culture of
openness and accountability within the food industry.
7. Partnerships and collaboration: Recognizing the need for
a collaborative approach to food safety, the FSMA encourages
partnerships between the government and various stakeholders.
This includes collaboration with state and local authorities, as well
as academia and industry. By leveraging collective expertise and
resources, FSMA aims to create a more robust and adaptable
food safety system.
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supermarketperimeter.com
food safety management solution provider. " These data
elements are known as Receiving Key Data Elements and
include the original producer or processor's Traceability
Lot Code and Source. Shippers, including retailer-owned
distribution centers, are required to share Shipping KDEs
with the stores, referred to as Retail Food Establishments in
the rule. "
To ensure compliance with Section 204, the FDA
is granted the authority to establish record-keeping
requirements and issue regulations. This includes
specifying the types of records, the appropriate time
frames for retention, and the acceptable formats for
documentation. The act's flexibility allows the FDA to
adapt these requirements based on the nature of the food
product, the size of the facility, and other relevant factors,
demonstrating a significantly more nuanced approach to
regulatory oversight.
" This rule is trying to help with our prevention efforts
because if we can get to the food we're trying to remove
from the shelves, we can prevent additional illnesses, " Vierk
said. " We're able to get to that point of determination and
do better root cause analysis to prevent more outbreaks
from happening future. Then all of this information that we
collect around those points and any investigations do go
into part of our risk management and the prioritization of
the work that we do. "
Tony Zuvela - stock.adobe.com
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - February 2024

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