Two public meetings for FSMA import rules set for Washington D.C.

FDA will be hosting two public meetings on the latest two proposed rules of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA), which cover imported food. The meetings are designed to solicit oral stakeholder and public comments on the proposed rules, inform the public about the rulemaking process (including how to submit comments, data and other information to the rulemaking dockets), and respond to questions about the proposed rules.

The hearings will be in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street NW. The first session is set for September 19 from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. while the second will be Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

This is the first in a series of three public meetings FDA plans to hold on these FSMA proposed rules. Information on the additional two meetings, including dates, locations and registration information will be released shortly. The agenda format for all three meetings will be the same.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the two proposed rules aimed at strengthening assurances that imported food meets the same safety standards as food produced domestically.

The Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) proposal would establish requirements for importers to verify that their foreign suppliers are implementing the modern, prevention-oriented food safety practices called for by FSMA.

The second proposed rule on the accreditation of third-party auditors/certification bodies is intended to strengthen the quality, objectivity and transparency of foreign food safety audits on which many U.S. food companies and importers currently rely to help manage the safety of their global food supply chains.

To register for the meetings online, visit here.