FDA Public Meeting to Discuss FSMA Changes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced an upcoming public meeting slated for September 19-20, 2013, in Washington, D.C., to discuss regulations proposed under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that would establish Food Supplier Verification Programs as well as new rules for accrediting third-party auditors and certification bodies. Intended to ensure “that imported food meets the same safety standards as food produced domestically,” the proposed rules would (i) require importers “to verify that their foreign suppliers are implementing the modern, prevention-oriented food safety practices called for by [FMSA],” and (ii) “strengthen the quality, objectivity, and transparency of foreign food safety audits on which many U.S. food companies currently rely.” FDA will accept advanced registrations from individuals who wish to participate in person by September 10, 2013. Additional details about the proposed rules appear in Issue 492 of this Update. See Federal Register, August 16, 2013.