FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is a significant piece of legislation that was signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 4, 2011. The Act aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.

Background

The FSMA was developed in response to numerous high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illnesses in the early 21st century. These outbreaks exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. food safety system, leading to calls for a more proactive and prevention-oriented approach. The Act represents the most comprehensive reform of food safety laws in the United States since the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938.

Provisions

The FSMA includes several key provisions designed to prevent foodborne illnesses. These include:

• Preventive Controls for Human Food: Food facilities are required to implement written preventive controls plans.
• Inspection and Compliance: The FSMA mandates that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspect food facilities regularly.
• Imported Food Safety: Importers are now accountable for verifying that their foreign suppliers have adequate preventive controls in place.
• Response: The FDA has the authority to issue mandatory recalls of contaminated food.

Impact

The FSMA has had a significant impact on the food industry, both domestically and internationally. It has led to increased scrutiny of food production and processing methods, and has required many businesses to invest in new equipment and training to comply with the law.

Criticism

While the FSMA has been praised for its focus on prevention, it has also been criticized for being overly burdensome on small farmers and food producers. Some critics argue that the costs of compliance could drive some small businesses out of the market.

See also

• Food safety in the United States
• Foodborne illness
• Food and Drug Administration