FDA Offers New Resources to Communicate About Two FSMA Programs
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering new resources for two of its Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) programs: the Accredited Third-Party Certification Program (TPP) and the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods Program (LAAF). Specifically, FDA is providing a QR code and a graphic element to communicate the status of participants in TPP and LAAF and to promote awareness of the programs.
The QR code takes users directly to the respective data dashboard for each program. The graphic elements were developed by FDA for stakeholders to communicate their participation in the program(s). User guidelines that explain how stakeholders may use the QR code and graphic element are available on both the TPP and LAAF landing pages.
TPP is a voluntary program in which FDA recognizes accreditation bodies that have the responsibility of accrediting third-party certification bodies. The accredited certification bodies will conduct food safety audits and issue certifications of foreign food facilities under TPP.
LAAF is a laboratory accreditation program for the testing of food in certain circumstances. Under the LAAF program, FDA recognizes accreditation bodies that have the responsibility of accrediting LAAF-accredited laboratories to the standards established by the rule. In certain circumstances, owners and consignees will be required to use a LAAF-accredited laboratory for food testing.
Neither the QR codes nor graphic elements are required to be used by either program’s participants.
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