The new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was passed in January of this year, gives the Food and Drug Administration increased authority in regulating and responding to food product contamination. It allows the FDA to suspend the services and production of food distributors or processors if a contamination is suspected. In my opinion, the increased authority was badly needed. The FDA can also now require recalls of food products, even if there is no proof that the contamination came from that source.
In addition, facilities are now required to register as a food facility, with the FDA having the ability to suspend a facility’s license to produce food should they deem it necessary. Details of how exactly the FSMA will be carried out and how vigilant the FDA will be with its newfound power are still unclear, especially since funding for the Act is still up in the air. But one thing is clear: food manufacturing, processing and distribution companies must take notice and be ready to comply with the act.
Source: mynewsmarkets.com
