FDA Compliance For Food Contact: Is Your Company Ready?
Foodborne illnesses claim the lives of nearly 3,000 people each year. Another one in six, or 48 million people, get sick and 128,000 of them are hospitalized. The numbers are high and the dangers are real. This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is empowered, by way of strict regulations and a watchful eye, to help protect consumer safety. Companies failing to adhere to FDA’s rules and regulations are subject to serious penalties. Make sure your company is prepared and ready to comply, which all begins with understanding and following the proper submission protocol.
What Is FDA Compliance For Food Contact?
Product developers seeking approval for a new food contact substance (FCS) are required to submit a food contact notification (FCN) to the Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS) at least 120 days prior to the marketing of the FCS. The submission of the FCN must contain sufficient information to demonstrate that the item is safe for the intended use stated in the notification. Safe for the intended use is the key phrase, as some companies take liberties with FDA’s wording.