Source: AGSAFE

What is …Food Safety Moderization Act (FSMA)

• The FSMA Produce Safety Rule is the first mandatory federal standard for the production of fruits and vegetables in the United States.
• Was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011.
• Before 2011, growers, packers, and the produce industry followed voluntary guidance I.e. Leafy Green Marketing Agreement. 
• FSMA is aimed at preventing rather than reacting to food safety issues. 

Seven Rules:
• Preventative Controls for Human Food: requires food facilities to have safety plans detailing how they will identify and minimize hazards.
• Preventative Controls for Animal Food: establishes Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and preventive controls for animal food.
• Produce Safety: establishes science-based standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding produce on both domestic and foreign farms.
• Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP): requires importers to verify that food brought into the country has been produced in a way that meets the same requirements U.S. food companies are subject to.
• Third Party Certification: establishes a program where qualified third parties can certify foreign food facilities comply with U.S. food safety standards.
• Sanitary Transportation: requires food transporters to use sanitary processes to ensure food safety.
• Food Defense/Intentional Adulteration: requires both foreign and domestic food facilities to address vulnerable steps in their processes to prevent acts that are intended to cause large-scale public harm.

For more information visit: https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/

The NC Agribusiness Council (NCAg) has a strategic collaboration with AgSafe to provide NCAg members with practitioner-based solutions and resources to advance our industries' commitment to a safe and compliant workforce as well as a healthy and safe food supply. As a member of NCAg, your organization is a member of AgSafe. To learn more about AgSafe, visit www.AgSafe.org or if you have a question or need assistance on topics such as worker safety, human resources, pesticide compliance, labor relations and food safety issues, call the NCAg/AgSafe help line at 800.434.6011. This helpline is an exclusive benefit of NCAg Membership.