FDA releases Small Entity Compliance Guide for FSMA sanitary transportation of human and animal food final rule

Small businesses have until April 6, 2018, to comply with the rule.

Nov 22nd, 2017

FDA logo

Small Entity Compliance Guides (SECGs) are designed to help small businesses meet federal standards. They are among the resources that the FDA is providing to support compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

FDA announced the availability of a SECG to help small businesses understand the requirements of the Final Rule on the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food (Sanitary Transportation Rule). Small businesses have until April 6, 2018, to comply with the rule.

In the guide, shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers covered by the Sanitary Transportation Rule will find descriptions of the rule requirements in an easy-to-read, question and answer format, that includes information on topics such as training and record keeping. FDA welcomes comments on this SECG. More information on how to comment can be found at https://www.regulations.gov/.

Additional resources such as a fact sheet, Q and A, and a Sanitary Transportation Webinar are available at the homepage for the final Sanitary Transportation Rule.

For more information about all the FSMA rules and the related compliance dates, please visit www.fda.gov.

Stop Foodborne Illness aims to get certain strains of Salmonella in poultry declared pathogens, following the same process it used to combat E.coli.

Step Up Against Foodborne Illness

Nonprofit emphasizes education and proper food safety culture as the means to reducing and preventing contamination.

Jeffrey Barach, Contributing Editor

Tech Companies to Help FDA With Track-and-Trace Solutions

A traceability system to match FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint is a must for food manufacturers. But traceability goals will require more than regulations; a partnership between technology providers and food manufacturers will be essential.

FDA Reveals Progress of New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown an accelerated need for goals in the blueprint, especially those involving supply chain continuity, modernized inspection approaches, and strengthening food safety infrastructures with regulatory partners.

Smithfield moved quickly at the outset of COVID-19 to implement protocols mitigating the risk of viral transmission by employing barriers, masks and shields, and enhanced air purification systems across its facilities. Photo courtesy of Smithfield Foods.

Building a Food Safety Culture: Empowerment to the People

Commitment, collaboration, and communication are essential for building a successful food safety culture. But don’t forget that people at all company levels are the dominant factor in producing high-quality, safe food and beverages.

‘Bending the Curve’ of Foodborne Illness Through More Traceability Rules

A traceability initiative proposes to overcome barriers to giving FDA accurate, timely, and comprehensive information about a food’s manufacturing history to prevent further distribution and public health crises during a recall.

Top 5 food packaging fails

Top 5 food packaging fails

Fix your food packaging fails to protect your customers and brand’s reputation.

Ray Fortuna, global product manager at Matthews Marking Systems discusses the Active Bulk Ink System (ABIS) at PACK EXPO Connects

Overcoming Ink Obstacles in High-Speed Primary Packaging Coding

Matthews Marking Systems’ Active Bulk Ink System ensures accurate performance of thermal inkjet printers.

Together, a New Era of Smarter Food Safety

FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety

The agency’s vision is based on three fundamental tenets: It must be people-led; it should be FSMA-based; and solutions should be technology-enabled.

FDA introduces new tool to track FSMA implementation

Will measure impact on the food safety system and more

Sokol and Company uses the SafetyChain software platform to ensure its facility and products are compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Legacy food company modernizes its food safety management system

Sokol and Company leverages quality management software to produce a variety of products for consumers’ changing needs while meeting strict food safety regulations.

vanilla ice cream cone production

FDA releases report on inspection, environmental sampling of ice cream production facilities for harmful bacteria

Listeria monocytogenes were found on non-food contact surfaces in 18 of the 19 establishments, and on food contact surfaces in the one other establishment where the pathogen was found.

Top 5 food packaging fails

Top 5 food packaging fails

Fix your food packaging fails to protect your customers and brand’s reputation.

FDA publishes second installment of intentional adulteration draft guidance

Food facilities covered by the rule will be required to develop and implement a food defense plan that identifies vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies for those vulnerabilities.

FDA issues draft guidance to help produce farmers, fresh-cut produce processors meet FSMA requirements

Both draft guidance documents will be open for public comment for 180 days.

WCMA, CDR and AFW form Dairy Food Safety Alliance

Will work to help ensure food safety throughout the supply chain

Cary Frye, senior vice president of regulatory affairs at the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).

New laws mean new labels and new liabilities

The Nutrition Facts Label and the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard will require manufacturers to overhaul the product labeling process.

sues first installment of Intentional Adulteration rule guidance.

FDA issues first installment of Intentional Adulteration rule guidance

Other installments to be released within the next six months.

Forward-thinking approach to legislation can be cost-saving measure

Forward-thinking approach to legislation can be cost-saving measure

Companies who make minimum effort to meet packaging legislation deadlines could end up paying more in the long term.

FDA expands its Data Dashboard to include FSMA

Three of the FSMA rules contain supply-chain requirements: the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs rule, the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, and Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule.

This screen depicts the level of automation and information available for the lauter tun sequence at O’Fallon Brewery located in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Craft brewers cultivate the taste while keeping products safe

Craft brewers are implementing food safety and quality programs that not only comply with stringent federal regulations but also improve their systems.

More in FSMA

Pfw 10449 Gettyimages 108348786

Rising up to meet FSMA documentation challenges

Misinterpreting food regulations is a potential problem that could impact every food and beverage processor. The tools to help meet compliance are available, but staff with true food safety expertise remains essential.

IDFA recommends areas for regulatory reform for dairy product manufacturing

The association cites regulations that are overly burdensome, outdated and barriers to innovation.

American flag and teamwork compass

FDA, USDA agree to bolster collaboration

The formal agreement outlines efforts to increase interagency collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness on produce safety and biotechnology activities, while providing clarity to manufacturers.

FDA issues guidance documents to help importers and food producers meet FSMA requirements

Two of the documents will help industry meet the requirements of the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) regulation.

Training is critical for the success of FSMA

FSMA Collaborative Training Forum launches new web page.

FDA announces enforcement discretion policy for certain FSMA regulations

The agency is exercising enforcement discretion to allow time to consider changes or other approaches to address concerns regarding the application of these provisions.

Protecting the food supply from intentional adulteration

Senior FDA advisors discuss examples of vulnerabilities and facility compliance.

Pfw 7234 Alignment 46 Pmg

Regulatory challenges a burden on mid-size and small CPGs

New report from PMMI Business Intelligence says government regulations often hamper innovation and operating efficiency for food and beverage processors.

FDA launches web page dedicated to key FSMA compliance dates

The web pages for the two preventive controls rules – which had the first major compliance dates – have also been updated.

FDA releases guidances on animal food CGMPs and the FSMA ‘solely engaged’ exemptions

The guidance documents are intended for facilities that may be subject to the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule or the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule.

FDA releases Compliance Guide for small businesses under FSMA Produce Safety Rule

Small Entity Compliance Guides can help farmers determine whether they are eligible for a qualified exemption.

FDA releases sixth chapter of draft guidance for the PC-human food rule

This chapter, entitled “Draft Guidance for Industry: Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food,” helps food facilities comply with the preventive controls for human food rule, mandated by FSMA.