Taking The First Steps Toward FSMA Compliance

By Katie Moore, Global Industry Manager, Food And Beverage, GE Intelligent Platforms

Since the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011, food manufacturers have been intently watching for signs of what the final regulations will look like, how they will be enforced, and the timeline for implementation. FSMA not only formalizes a shift in focus from response to prevention of contamination, it is also the first time that scientific, risk prevention will be a universal requirement for food manufacturers. It truly is a sweeping change to the way the FDA approaches food safety and will certainly be an adjustment for the industry as a whole.

While most food and beverage companies already work hard to keep customers safe, there are worries about how to ensure total compliance, particularly amid uncertainty over how exactly the rules will be implemented and enforced. There have been multiple delays to FSMA, discussions over funding, and debate around specific rules, and, most recently, four new rule re-proposals — all leaving some manufacturers unsure about what they should do to prepare for the new regulations. Since FSMA is happening, and it’s not going to go away, what can manufacturers do now to start preparing?

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