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It’s been almost 18 months since President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Modernization Act. The FSMA was hailed as the most important legislation impacting the food industry in the past 60 years. Even though we are still waiting for the Office of Management and Budget to finalize their review and to release for publication several key regulations, we thought a look at the progress of this omnibus piece of legislation was in order. The FSMA greatly expands the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration to monitor the food industry. The FDA, under the powers provided in the Act will have the power to affect mandatory recalls and, in grave circumstances, it has the authority to close manufacturing sites that are considered a significant risk. The FSMA has faced the challenges of the budgetary crisis that has gripped the nation for the past four years. At a time when most agencies are facing cutbacks, the FDA will need to significantly expand its staff to meet the requirements mandated by the FSMA. In spite of budgetary restraints, significant progress has been achieved. In its report to Congress, the FDA cited, among other accomplishments, progress in the rule making process, establishment of the Produce Safety Alliance and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, and a cooperative program with Homeland Security to combat the smuggling of food into the United States. While the emergence of new regulations from Washington is frequently met with opposition from the business community and associations representing the affected industry, the food industry has embraced the FSMA. Food safety is, has been, and always will be a primary concern to responsible food manufacturers. The consequences of product recalls or, in the most serious cases, deaths resulting from contaminated food products are often catastrophic for the food processor found responsible. Leading food processors are reviewing their procedures and guidelines well ahead of the requirements that will surely come from the FDA. FPSA continues to monitor the Food Safety Modernization Act through the work of our Task Force on Food Safety. We are especially mindful of any parts of the FSMA that may impact directly or indirectly the suppliers of food processing and packaging equipment. David Seckman |