The Food Safety Modernization Act or FSMA regulations, became law on January 4, 2011. The goal of the FSMA is to ensure that the U.S. food supply remains safe by focusing first on prevention rather than just responding to contamination issues.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been granted new powers by the FSMA to do this. These powers include being able to initiate mandatory product recalls and to assist with the regulation of how our foods are grown, harvested, processed, and stored.
From 2000 to 2010, many food based illnesses were reported and it’s because of this that the FSMA was introduced. Each year the CDC reports that approximately 48 million Americans, or one in every six, become ill due to food borne illnesses. The FSMA will work towards preventing these illnesses occurring, leaving the FDA to also concentrate its efforts on preventing rather than reacting to food related problems.
From 2000 to 2010, many food based illnesses were reported and it’s because of this that the FSMA was introduced. Each year the CDC reports that approximately 48 million Americans, or one in every six, become ill due to food borne illnesses. The FSMA will work towards preventing these illnesses occurring, leaving the FDA to also concentrate its efforts on preventing rather than reacting to food related problems.