An important aspect of the implementation and success of the Food Safety Modernization Act can be summed up in one word: education. But FDA also has begun to more aggressively enforce FSMA, some regulatory experts said.
FDA reported “high rates of compliance” with rules adopted to implement the most groundbreaking reform of the nation’s food safety laws in generations: the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
“Overall, we are seeing high rates of compliance with the FSMA rules,” Taryn Sjursen, an FDA spokeswoman, said in an email.
An important aspect of FSMA’s implementation and success to date can be summed up in one word: education.
“Education has been and continues to be a key element of successful implementation of our FSMA programs,” Sjursen said.
But FDA also has begun to more aggressively enforce FSMA, some regulatory experts said. Attorney Claudia Lewis attributed increased enforcement, in part, to small businesses now being subject to rules crafted under the law.
“FDA has to enforce the regulations eventually,” said Lewis, a partner in Washington with Venable LLP who counsels clients on FDA matters involving conventional food, dietary supplements and other products.
Foreign Supplier Verification Program
Many businesses remain unaware of the new regulations adopted under FSMA or struggle to comply with them, according to several regulatory experts.
In fiscal year 2018 (FY18)—the 12 months that ended on Sept. 30, 2018—FDA cited 278 U.S. importers of food and beverages for not developing a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), comprising the year’s most common inspection violation, disclosed Registrar Corp, a company that offers assistance with FDA compliance and whose U.S. headquarters are based in Hampton, Virginia.
In FY17, FDA cited 108 importers for not developing a FSVP, Registrar Corp reported. That was the year compliance took effect for importers whose foreign supplier is not subject to certain regulations under FSMA, including produce safety and preventive controls rules.
The FSVP requirements are intended to ensure imported food is produced in a way that meets U.S. safety standards. Among the requirements: importers must identify “known or reasonably foreseeable hazards with each food.” Beginning in March 2018, most food importers were required to develop a FSVP for their foreign suppliers and monitor the compliance statuses of their suppliers, according to Registrar Corp.
“I think that for small businesses these types of regulations always are a burden,” Lewis said, “but eventually … those who really want to be in the market for the long haul get into compliance and figure out how to get it done.”
A Proactive Approach
FSVP is one of seven cornerstone rules adopted by FDA to implement FSMA, which former President Barack Obama signed on Jan. 4, 2011 following several high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illness.
“The ethos behind the Food Safety Modernization Act and all of these rules is to be proactive and try to identify issues … before they get out there … or get to a certain scale,” said Marc Sanchez, a lawyer with offices in Washington and North Carolina who advises companies on FDA regulations.
In adopting the rules, FDA recognized “ensuring the safety of the food supply is a shared responsibility among many different points in the global supply chain for both human and animal food,” according to an FDA webpage devoted to FSMA.
“The importers will be that line of defense at the port,” said Fabiola Negrón, a regulatory specialist with Registrar Corp, in an interview.
Importers are still becoming accustomated to the new requirements, which “small businesses” needed to comply with by March 2018.