The Food Safety Modernization Act consists of 3 cornerstone rules:

1. Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-based Preventive Controls for Human Food

2. Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-based Preventive Controls for Animal Food

3. The Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption 

As well as 4 companion regulations:

1. Foreign Supplier Verification for Importers

2. Accredited Third Party Certification

3. Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration (Food Defense)

4. Sanitary Transportation for Human and Animal Food

This workshop focuses on these Final Rules and their intersection with and relevance to your food safety programs. These are all parts of FSMA that are not expressly covered in a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) certification course. We also include an overview of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.

 

The rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food was released in April 2016. Compliance dates began one year after finalization, around April 2017. This rule was in development for quite a while and drastically changes the regulatory landscape for transportation companies. The final rule applies to shippers, receivers, loaders and carriers who transport both human and animal food in the United States by motor or rail vehicle. It also establishes requirements for equipment, operations, training and records. Learn about the requirements as they apply to your specific operation. This workshop normally runs three days but it is also offered as a one-day stand-alone course designed for companies that only need the Sanitary Transportation portion of the class.

The Foreign Supplier Verification Program for Importers of Food for Humans and Animals, or FSVP, was finalized in November 2015. Requirements apply to any U.S. owner or consignee of a food offered for import into the United States. Compliance was enforced beginning in November 2017. Importers are required to develop, maintain and follow an FSVP for each imported food and supplier. This rule also expands the enforcement capabilities of the FDA in relation to imported food. Learn if your organization is subject to the requirements of this rule, how to conduct a Hazard Analysis for imported food, and evaluation and verification of foreign suppliers and record-keeping requirements.

The most recently released portion of FSMA covered in this class is the Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration, released in May 2016. Compliance will start three years after finalization, in May 2019. The extended timeframe for compliance is due to the fact that no rule like this has been implemented in the US before. This portion of the rule applies to all facilities required to register with FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, but is designed primarily to cover large companies whose products reach many people. Key provisions include a vulnerability assessment, mitigation strategies, training and record-keeping. Learn how to protect your organization and employees from many different types of adulteration, and resources for the development of a successful program. 

The Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption was finalized as of November 2015. The rule establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The first compliance dates began one year after finalization, or November 2016, and are based on a variety of factors. Learn if the rule applies to your operation, and if so, which parts. Sprouts, domesticated and wild animals, agricultural water and soil, worker training, health and hygiene, and equipment, tools and buildings are all covered under the Produce Safety rule. The FDA has also developed several guidance documents that can be of assistance, especially for very small businesses or those with no experience in this area. Learn more about the steps to compliance, training required for workers, resources for food safety, and much more.

YOU WILL LEARN

  • Assistance with the determination of which, if any, parts of the covered Final Rules apply to your organization;
  • An enhanced understanding of the companion regulations, including compliance and record-keeping requirements;
  • Overview of conducting a Hazard Analysis as it relates to the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption Final Rule;
  • Practical applications, common challenges, and pitfalls related to the covered Final Rules;
  • How to use available resources to train others at your organization and apply the knowledge to your specific industry sector

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Course instructional materials, professional certificates, lunch, drinks and snacks are included. Please contact us if you have questions, or would like information on available discounts. We can also design a workshop specifically for your organization and present it at our training center or at your site.