Regulatory concerns include audits and inspections, government agencies, the pivotal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and international standards and guidances.
Audits are an important tool for verifying the safety and quality of a company's or facility's food products. Audits are conducted both internally and by certified third-party certification entities. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a private organization that benchmarks different auditing certification platforms as meeting its criteria to provide a harmonized umbrella certification.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating about 80 percent of the U.S. food supply, encompassing all foods and food ingredients introduced into or offered for sale in interstate commerce, except for meat, poultry, certain processed egg products, and catfish, which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) gave FDA new authority to regulate the way foods are grown, harvested, and processed. FSMA grants FDA the authority to impose mandatory recalls and has paved the way for the issuance of more than a dozen rulemakings and at least ten guidance documents. FDA's New Era of Smarter Food Safety builds on the work done to implement FSMA.
Guidelines for industry include draft guidance from regulatory agencies and recommended practices for industry to help ensure the production of safe food that is free from contamination.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement, and handling, to manufacturing, distribution, and consumption of finished products.
Inspections cover many areas of food and beverage production, from farms and ranches to food processing facilities to restaurants. Inspectors are trained to ensure that facilities and equipment are in proper working order and properly sanitized, maintained, and permitted.
Food safety standards vary by country and world region, and different aspects of food safety are regulated differently depending on the region. Harmonization and tightening of food safety standards around the world are important as emerging countries seek to improve quality of life by ensuring safer food for all people.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees meat, poultry, and egg products, accounting for 20 percent or less of the food supply. The majority of the food supply (80 percent or more) is regulated by FDA. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the U.S. meat, poultry, and processed egg supply is safe and properly labeled.
Special labeling requirements for supplemented foods sold in Canada are coming into effect. The regulations are already in force, but supplemented foods that are eligible for the transition period have until December 31, 2025 to comply.
Recently introduced to the U.S. Senate, the Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act would prohibit the sale of poppy seeds that contain harmful levels of opiates and require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue regulations that establish a maximum level of contamination
FoodChain ID recently acquired Organic Certifiers Inc., one of the first certification bodies accredited in the U.S. for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program.
Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., current Chief Scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will become the next FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner when Janet Woodcock, M.D. retires in early 2024. One of Dr. Bumpus' main priorities is to assist in the proposed reorganization of a unified Human Foods Program, including creating a new model for the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA).
The UK Government has published guidances for EU and non-EU countries about risk categories and requirements for animals and animal products imported to Great Britain under the new Border Target Operating Model.
A question that often arises is, "Does a food production establishment require both a HACCP plan and a Food Safety Plan?" The answer to this question depends on country- or region-specific legal requirements, among other factors.
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recently reaffirmed a “not specified” acceptable daily intake (ADI) for titanium dioxide, as well as concluded that there is no safety concern for and established the specifications for 21 flavoring agents.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently rolled out additional resources to help entities comply with Section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA 204), also known as the Food Traceability Final Rule.
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has published an industry guidance to help stakeholders comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA’s) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR), Subpart E requirements for agricultural water.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) is extending time-limited trials for six New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS) establishments operating at increased line speeds while the agency commissions a study to generate the data about worker safety that is required to inform rulemaking.
On Demand: The third in this webinar series focuses on an aspect of Core Element 3 of the New Era blueprint, Retail Food Safety Modernization, and its associated foodborne illness prevention strategies.
On Demand:This discussion will center on a conversation with top regulators and advisory groups about the key issues, updates, and initiatives happening within their organizations.
On Demand: From this webinar, you will learn an invaluable understanding of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 from the architect of Rule 204, Frank Yiannas, which will demystify its nuances and progress.