Saturday 19 May 2012

Schedule

FDA Issues First New Rules under Food Safety Modernization Act

Last week the FDA announced thefirst set of rules under the landmark Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

The two new rules, which take effect July 3, are pretty logical preventive measures that “ensure the safety and security of foods.” The new rules are as follows:

  • Order on Administration Detention of Food: The first new rule gives the FDA the authority to detain food that it has reason to believe are adulterated or misbranded for up to 30 days, if needed, to ensure they are kept out of the marketplace. The products will be kept out of the marketplace while the agency determines whether an enforcement action such as seizure or federal injunction against distribution of the product in commerce, is necessary.

Before now, the administration only had the right to detain food when it had sufficient evidence it was mislabeled or contaminated and only thourgh cooperation with State agencies. Now if the FDA even suspects contamination or mislabeling, it can detain the product.

  • Rule on Imported Food: Organizations importing food now have to disclose whether another country has rejected or refused the product. With this information, the FDA will be better equipped to target foods that may pose a risk to public health.

The new regulations are the first in what will be an ongoing series of new rules determining how the FSMA affects organizations across the U.S., but also adds to the Act’s current scope, which includes legislative components that took affect earlier this year when it was signed into law, including the following:

Companies across the food and beverage industry need to begin taking steps to ready their organizations to track, recall, and comply. Is your company ready?

 

 

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