November 19, 2015

Two webinars will discuss latest FSMA final rules

Produce industry members will have an opportunity to interact with FDA and ask questions about three final Food Safety Modernization Act rules and their implementation requirements via two free webinars. Each of the 90-minute webinars is hosted by Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association, in partnership with regional produce associations. Registration is now available online.

The webinar covering the produce safety rule will be Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m. EST. The webinar covering the foreign supplier verification program and accreditation of third-party auditors rules will be Dec. 14 at 12 p.m. EST.

PMA is assessing how three final rules will affect the produce industry.

“These final rules reflect many, but not all, of the amendments PMA and other leading food trade organizations have recommended in their comments to FDA in the last few years,” said Jim Gorny, PMA vice president of food safety and technology. “We’re pleased that FDA considered the practical needs of the produce industry; however, we still have concerns and questions about some of the specific implementation details regarding these rules.”

“The publication of these FSMA rules is not an endpoint but rather a beginning, which now requires understanding, planning, implementation and verification by businesses,” Gorny said. “To that end, we’re pleased to learn FDA will also soon be issuing important companion guidance documents for these final rules that will provide more detailed information about coverage and compliance requirements.”

Gorny said there will be an opportunity to provide comments on these upcoming draft guidance documents, and PMA will continue to work closely with allied organizations and Congress to assure that FDA FSMA implementation is realistic and well supported.

PMA staff is in the process of assessing these newly released final rules in detail and will be in dialog with industry members to fully understand the implications of these rules on produce businesses.





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