FDA Releases Two More Proposed Rules Under Food Safety Modernization Act
July 26, 2013 
FDA published two proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). These are the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals and Accreditation of Third-Party Auditors.
Under the foreign supplier verification program, importers are required to perform risk-based activities to verify that imported food had been produced with same food safety standards in the U.S. For more about the proposed rule, click here.
The third-party verification program aims to create a comprehensive and reliable program of audits and certification of foreign food facilities for food to be imported into the U.S. For more about the proposed program, click here.
“We know food safety is a top priority for the industry and our ongoing efforts to facilitate increased consumption of produce,” said Bryan Silbermann, Produce Marketing Association president and CEO. “These proposed rules are geared toward advancing produce safety in a meaningful way for industry members that also protects public health.”
Silbermann continued, “As part of our work with the FDA, we shared testimony with them earlier this year asking for the release of the proposed rule on foreign supplier verification programs so we could evaluate the proposals on produce and preventive controls concurrently. Food that’s consumed in the U.S., no matter where it’s grown, must meet the same standards. The release and the coordinated comment periods of these proposals are evidence that FDA is listening to industry’s needs. Now, with many of the pieces in place, we’re in a position to effectively review and assess these proposed rules and provide FDA with thoughtful comments to assure that the final rules are practicable to implement, cost effective and enhance the safety of fresh produce regardless of where it is grown.”
Comment Period Extended
The FDA also announced that the comment period for the pending preventative controls and produce safety rules are extended additionally through Nov. 13. To comment on the produce rule, click here.
More online:
The FDA recently released a Q&A with Mike Taylor, deputy commissioner for Foods focusing on the produce safety portion of FSMA, click here to view the article.
David Eddy, a senior editor of Western Fruit Grower, wrote his July column encouraging growers to speak up about FSMA, To view his column, click here.
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