Ep. 87. 10 Years of FSMA

Food Safety Matters

As we embark on 2021, the Food Safety Matters team, along with Larry Keener President and CEO of International Product Safety Consultants, sat down to discuss the impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) over the last 10 years and how we move forward from here. Also included are comments from, Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, Stephen Mandernach, Executive Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), Kathy Gombas, Food Safety Consultant at FSMA Implementation Solutions, and Dr. David Acheson, Founder and CEO of The Acheson Group.

Questions discussed in this episode:

The most significant impact of FSMA on the food industry

• Impacts of the Preventive Controls (PC) and Produce rules
• Impact on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators and FDA culture
• Moved food safety into mainstream conversations
• Supply chain control

The remaining gaps in the food safety regulations

• Transportation needs
• Traceability
• Retail/foodservice
• Understanding whether a certain business is subject to a particular regulation
• FDA guidance
• Exemptions for the very small businesses

Have these regulations reduced outbreaks of foodborne illness?

• The problem with following the numbers of outbreaks as an indication of success
• Increased detection capabilities = increased numbers of outbreaks ≠ unsafe food

Moving forward with the New Era for Smarter Food Safety Blueprint

Resources

Download Food Safety Matters Compilation of Industry Responses

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act at 10: Reflecting on Our Progress and the Path Forward