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Working to better understand FSMA

The FDA begins the first step in implementing part of the Food Safety Modernization Act next month and the livestock feed manufacturing industry still has a lot of questions.

The National Grain and Feed Association is holding listening sessions to help producers better understand the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act.  David Fairfield with the organization says the new rules are complex and impact the nation’s entire food system.   “Firms really are going to need to develop practices and programs within their facilities to ensure the products they distribute are safe,” he says.  “When they do experience an inspection by some sort of regulatory body, the FDA or their state feed regulatory official that they’re able to justify why they’re doing things.”

He tells Brownfield the regulations impact everyone in the food system from grain handlers to animal and pet food manufacturers – but there are questions about how it applies to them. “For example, if a grain elevator is just involved in holding and distributing grain, they’re actually exempt from the preventative control requirements that have been established under FSMA,” he says.  “A facility like an animal feed mill and manufactures and processes is not exempt.”

And, Fairfield says if a farming operation meets the FDA’s regulatory definition of a farm – it is also exempt from the food safety law, at this point.

He says there will be a learning curve for both FDA and feed manufacturers as the implementation begins.

AUDIO: David Fairfield, National Grain and Feed Association

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