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Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. The FSMA aims to shift the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply.

FSMA Overview & Resources

For the first time, FDA has a legislative mandate to require comprehensive, prevention-based controls across the food supply. FSMA enables FDA to focus more on preventing food safety problems rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after they occur. The law also provides FDA with new enforcement authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with prevention- and risk-based food safety standards and to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur. The law also gives FDA important new tools to hold imported foods to the same standards as domestic foods and directs FDA to build an integrated national food safety system in partnership with state and local authorities.

Disclaimer: The materials on this website are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. IFT does not advise on the application of law to an individual’s or company’s specific circumstances.

Full Text of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
The full text of 111 Congress Public Law 353, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), as provided by the FDA.

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Main Page
FDA published information about FSMA. Includes up-to-date announcements and implementation activity.

Background on the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
FDA background document on purpose and history of the FSMA. Available in multi-language translation and PDF.

Operational Strategy for Implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
This strategy document is intended to guide the next phase of FSMA implementation by outlining broadly the drivers of change in FDA’s approach to food safety and the operational strategy for implementing that change, as mandated and empowered by FSMA.

FSMA Training
Training and outreach programs to assist companies in complying with the FSMA rules.

Frequently Asked Questions on Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
This page addresses questions related to FSMA.
IFT offers several webinars on the final and proposed FSMA rules. Free to IFT Premiere Members, login required. Network & Engagement member discount and non-member pricing also available.

FSMA Final Rule for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP)

FSMA Requirements: Validation of the Kill Step in Bakery Products – AIB Supplier Solutions Webcast

FSMA Final Rule for Preventative Controls for human Food Webcast

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