FDA PROPOSES 2 RULES TO BOLSTER SAFETY OF IMPORTED FOODS
Posted in News, Food Safety, Regulatory, International, Quality, Inspection, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dietary Supplements, Fruits / Vegetables, Dairy, Meat Products, Seafood, Bakery / Cereal, Grains / Pasta / Tuber, Fats/Oils, Sweeteners, Seasonings / Spices, Beverages, Confectionery,Nuts, Proteins, Federal Register, Agriculture
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued two proposed rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aimed at strengthening assurances that imported food meets the same safety standards as food produced domestically. Currently, imported food comes into the United States from about 150 different countries and accounts for about 15% of the U.S. food supply.
The new measures are part of the effort mandated by Congress to modernize the food-safety system and focus on preventing food-safety problems, rather than relying primarily on responding to problems after they have occurred.
Under the proposed rule for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP), importers would need to verify that their suppliers are meeting the same U.S. safety standards required of domestic producers. The proposed regulations vary based on the type of food product (such as processed foods, produce, and dietary supplements), the category of importer, the nature of the hazard in the food, and who is to control the hazard.
Under the proposed rule for Accreditation of Third Party Auditors, FDA would establish a program for accreditation of third-party auditors, also known as certification bodies, to conduct food-safety audits and issue certifications of foreign facilities and the foods for humans and animals they produce. The proposed rule would implement Section 307 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Importers will not generally be required to obtain certifications, but in certain circumstances the FDA may use certifications from accredited auditors in determining whether to admit certain imported food into the United States that the FDA has determined poses a food safety risk or in determining whether an importer is eligible to participate in a voluntary program now under development for expedited review and entry of food.
The two proposed rules work together with the standards proposed in January 2013 for produce safety and preventive controls in facilities that produce food for humans. The two proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2013. Comments on the proposed rules are due by 120 days from the publication date.
Under the proposed rule for Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP), importers would need to verify that their suppliers are meeting the same U.S. safety standards required of domestic producers. The proposed regulations vary based on the type of food product (such as processed foods, produce, and dietary supplements), the category of importer, the nature of the hazard in the food, and who is to control the hazard.
Under the proposed rule for Accreditation of Third Party Auditors, FDA would establish a program for accreditation of third-party auditors, also known as certification bodies, to conduct food-safety audits and issue certifications of foreign facilities and the foods for humans and animals they produce. The proposed rule would implement Section 307 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Importers will not generally be required to obtain certifications, but in certain circumstances the FDA may use certifications from accredited auditors in determining whether to admit certain imported food into the United States that the FDA has determined poses a food safety risk or in determining whether an importer is eligible to participate in a voluntary program now under development for expedited review and entry of food.
The two proposed rules work together with the standards proposed in January 2013 for produce safety and preventive controls in facilities that produce food for humans. The two proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2013. Comments on the proposed rules are due by 120 days from the publication date.
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