The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance on its intent not to enforce certain provisions of five rules that implement the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). As FDA began implementation of these rules, it received questions and comments from stakeholders regarding specific provisions. In certain situations, FDA has determined that it is appropriate to take time to consider options, including rulemaking, to address concerns raised by stakeholders, while continuing to protect public health. 

As FDA works on solutions, the agency does not intend to enforce these provisions as they currently apply to entities or activities addressed in the guidance. The enforcement discretion policies announced are specific to provisions in the following rules:

• Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
• Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Animal Food
• Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP)
• Produce Safety
• Intentional Adulteration (IA).

In many instances, this guidance builds upon previously announced enforcement policies. FSMA grants FDA more authority to regulate the way foods are grown, processed, and harvested. FDA was also given additional powers from this law, such as mandatory recall authority. 

As it began to implement these FSMA rules, FDA received comments and questions from stakeholders regarding specific provisions. In some situations, FDA determined it was appropriate to consider options, like rulemaking, to address stakeholders' concerns.

The purpose of the new guidance is to emphasize that FDA does not intend to enforce certain regulatory requirements, as they apply to certain entities and/or activities. The guidance was created based on FDA's current understanding of FSMA risks.

Extension of Enforcement Discretion Policy for Supply Chain Program Requirements Applicable to Contract Manufacturers of Human and Animal Food

On November 6, 2019, the agency announced it would continue an enforcement discretion policy described in a November 2017 guidance for certain FSMA supply chain program requirements applicable to receiving facilities that are contract manufacturers of human and animal foods, while the agency considered issues relating to supplier verification and approval challenges. This guidance formally extends the enforcement discretion policy. While FDA considers these issues, it does not intend to enforce certain supply-chain program requirements for food manufactured for the brand owner by a contract manufacturer/processor.
 
Enforcement Policy for Certain Entities and Requirements under the Intentional Adulteration Rule

Enforcement Discretion for facilities that conduct farm-related activities

In a January 2018 FSMA guidance, FDA established an enforcement discretion policy for certain facilities that conduct certain farm-related activities but are not considered farms under the “farm” definition. In this new guidance, FDA is clarifying that it does not intend to take enforcement action related to the IA rule as it applies to the same facilities and activities, while the agency issues rulemaking that could change the definition of “farm.” Such a change would impact whether the IA provisions apply to these entities.

Enforcement Discretion for the reanalysis provisions in the IA rule in certain circumstances

The IA rule requires reanalysis of a Food Defense Plan (FDP) in certain circumstances, including whenever a mitigation strategy, a combination of strategies, or the FDP as a whole is not properly implemented. The rule also requires that covered entities establish and implement food defense corrective actions or procedures that must be taken if mitigation strategies are not properly implemented. To reduce duplication, FDA plans to exercise enforcement discretion for the requirement for reanalysis when improper implementation of mitigation strategies is addressed through actions that correct the deficiency and reduce the likelihood that the deficiency will happen again.

Enforcement Policy for Supplier Approval and Verification Requirements in the PC Human, PC Animal, and FSVP Regulations

This guidance establishes an enforcement discretion policy for a receiving facility or FSVP importer when it is verifying its supplier’s compliance with PC Human Food, PC Animal Food, or Produce Safety requirements covered by an enforcement discretion policy. FDA will not expect a receiving facility or FSVP importer to verify its supplier’s compliance with requirements that are subject to enforcement discretion for the supplier (e.g., Produce Safety Rule requirements for wine grapes, hops, pulse crops, and almonds that are the subject of enforcement discretion for farms that grow and harvest those crops). Receiving facilities and FSVP importers are still expected to conduct other required supplier verification activities.