Food Safety Magazine

On April 22, 2013, the Federal Court declared that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)’s mandatory rulemaking schedule. Read more to see how this ruling affects FSMA moving ahead.

This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the codification of the final rules that overhauled the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) nutrition labeling requirements for food in the United States. Passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act gave FDA authority to require specific nutritional information be declared on most food sold in the United States.
 

The number of eco-labels in the food industry is expected to continue to proliferate in 2013. Over 200 seals and logos represent some ecological, ethical, ingredient or sustainability attributes in the global food industry. The mushrooming number of eco-labels could have adverse consequences on food safety.
 

Consumers in the United States demand and expect safe, quality food. Over the last several years, however, consumers have also been weighing in on other factors; they’ve been making their preferences known at the cash register and voting with their grocery lists. See how this fact impacts your company’s bottom line.
 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening the comment period for a draft Qualitative Risk Assessment for certain food facilities that include farm packing operations for fresh fruits and vegetables.
 

This article briefly summarizes the proposed Food Safety Modernization Act rules and highlights some potentially troublesome and burdensome provisions that members of the food industry may wish to address in comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration with regard to the proposed rules.

Globalization of the food supply brings incredible growth opportunities, but the accompanying challenges cannot be ignored. Traceability throughout a complex supply chain has resulted in much greater risk exposure and potential liability for food manufacturers.
 

What does the Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls proposed rule mean for existing food safety programs? Read more for an glimpse into what could make it into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s final rule.
 

With the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) proposed rules out for comment, it is time for food manufacturers, processors and producers to review, analyze and assess how these rules will impact their businesses.

Attention to food safety and making it the company’s highest priority can help managers assess employee performance.
 

An overview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s two proposed rules—Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food and Standards for Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption—are discussed.

Even with two proposed rules out for public comment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is behind schedule in implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). What can we expect since President Obama’s reelection in terms of food safety?

The purpose of allergen disclaimers is for the benefit and protection of consumers, but by using this warning label on a product that does not contain allergens, manufacturers can limit accountability and provide cover for inadequate cleaning and/or poorly followed cross-contamination prevention programs.