Personal Injury Law

It's Official: The Food Safety Modernization Act Is Law. What Food Companies Need to Do Right Now

By Kenneth Odza

President Obama signed into law today the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

Companies with facilities subject to FDA jurisdiction should  take immediate steps to review and, where necessary, modify SOPs, policies and procedures.

For example, given the FDA's expanded access to business records, companies should set SOPs that anticipate (before a crisis occurs) what records they may have to turn over and what they may not. Food companies should take steps to protect confidential and proprietary information.

Companies also should anticipate now how they need to change their policies and approaches to mandatory recalls and whistleblower protections.

These parts of the legislation take effect today:

• Stronger records access authority by FDA (FSMA § 101)
  • When FDA determines a "reasonable probability" of "serious adverse health consequences"
  • FDA can access records of other food affected in a similar manner
  • But FDA must show proper credentials and provide written notice

• Mandatory recall authority (FSMA § 206)
  
  • FDA can order a recall if it finds a "reasonable probability" that
    1. food is adulterated or misbranded; and
    2. there may be serious adverse health consequences
  • FDA has to provide an opportunity for a voluntary recall
  • FDA will provide an informal hearing within two days of the order's issuance
     
• Increased frequency of inspections (FSMA § 201)
  • FDA will immediately increase the frequency of inspections
  • FDA will apply a risk-based approach to determine priorities
     
• Whistleblower protection (FSMA § 402)
  • Protects employees who:
    • Provide information re violation of FDC Act ,
    • Testify, assist or participate in a proceeding re a violation, and/or
    • Object to "activity, policy, practice or assigned task" they "reasonably believe to be a violation"
       
• Refused admission of imports if foreign facility refuses inspection (FSMA § 306)
  • Foreign establishments must allow entry to U.S. inspectors within 24 hours of requesting entry
  • Or imported food will be refused admission.

Future blog entries will discuss compliance with other provisions of the FSMA scheduled to be phased-in. If you are interested in a more detailed in-house discussion of the FSMA and its effect on your company, please let us know.

Full post as published by Food Liability Law Blog on January 04, 2011 (boomark / email).